Saginaw Seminarians

Under New Management....

2008-02-24T21:42:00.002-05:00

Let me apologize for the months without a post.

The reason was simple: I needed as few distractions as possible. I've discerned that it is God's Will that I move on and not continue towards the priesthood.

I've moved out East to D.C. and will be starting my Masters at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. I would appreciate your prayers as I begin this new stage of my life.

Saginaw Seminarians has a new writer, however, and will soon begin filling up this space with new and original posts. Enjoy. If you would like to continue reading work by me, you can visit my new blog, Unshakably Convinced. It will have similar content as you saw while I wrote for Seminarians.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support,

Richard Budd

Get Ready For the Yearly Christmas Debate...

2007-10-09T14:41:00.000-05:00

Here we go again. It seems like these battles begin earlier and earlier every year. This time it's hitting a little closer to home...

A citizens' petition drive to re-establish a Christmas tradition has begun in Berkley, Michigan. Under pressure from the American Civil Liberties' Union, the Berkley City Council voted to remove a decades-old nativity display.

Berkley resident Georgia Halloran launched a successful petition drive to place a Charter Amendment on the November ballot. The amendment would overturn the city council's decision and would model the Nativity scene on a holiday display ruled constitutional by the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal court that governs Michigan.

Ms. Halloran described her efforts: “Christmas is a national holiday. And we’re not going to let ACLU threats dictate how we publicly celebrate it.”

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, provided legal assistance to Halloran’s group. It also offered to represent the city without charge should it be sued by the ACLU.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center, commented: “Despite all of their public rationalizations of why the Nativity should be removed from city property, it is clear the city council acted out of fear of an ACLU lawsuit. The council made the wrong decision, and Berkley citizens are working within the political system to correct that wrong.”

Of course the Thomas More Law Center is involved. These God-fearing lawyers have been defending the rights of Christians for some time now from the likes of the ACLU who are hell-bent on removing the civil liberties of Christians in this country.

I hope the good people of Berkley get their nativity back. This should be getting more press as the vote draws near...

CNA

What?

2007-10-01T09:31:00.001-05:00

Connecticut Bishops to Allow "Plan B" Contraceptives in Catholic Hospitals:

After fighting against the passage of a new state law requiring hospitals to provide the "emergency contraceptive" Plan B pill to rape victims, the Catholic bishops of Connecticut have announced that Catholic hospitals will comply with the law when it goes into effect next week.

The Connecticut bishops had lobbied energetically against the legislation, pointing out that the Plan B pill can cause abortion if a woman has conceived when the drug is administered. In a May 2007 letter to Governor Jodi Rell, pleading for a veto of the bill passed by the state legislature, the Connecticut bishops noted that the pill "can only act as an abortifacient" if conception has taken place.

Proponents of the Plan B protocol argue that the drug does not cause an abortion. That argument is based on the premise that pregnancy does not begin until the fertilized ovum is implanted in the mother's womb; the "emergency contraceptive" prevents that implantation, causing the destruction of the embryo.

In their May appeal to the governor, the heads of the three Connecticut dioceses-- Archbishop Henry Mansell of Hartford and Bishops William Lori of Bridgeport and Michael Cote of Norwich-- said that the proposed legislation would cause a "direct opposition to our religious belief that life begins at the moment of conception and as such is a serious violation of a basic tenet of the Catholic faith." Governor Rell signed the bill into law despite the bishops' pleas.

On September 28, however, the bishops joined with the heads of Connecticut's Catholic hospitals in announcing that the institutions would comply with the law. Barry Feldman, a spokesman for the Connecticut Catholic Conference, explained that the bishops had undergone "an evolution in thinking."

The bishops' decision reduces the likelihood of a legal confrontation over the Connecticut law. In earlier public statements the bishops had said that the law, as written, imposed unacceptable burdens on the religious freedom of Catholic institutions-- an argument that hinted at the possibility of a court challenge.

Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport said that he still hoped for changes in the law. And the bishops, in announcing plans to accept the legislation, said that their decision might be reconsidered, in light of further studies on the effects of Plan B and the arguments for administration of an ovulation test to women taking the pill.

Prior to their sudden reversal, Church leaders in Connecticut had said that the hospitals would provide Plan B only after administering an ovulation test. If ovulation had not occurred, the pill would not cause an abortion.

The bishops now say that ethicists are divided on the moral requirement for such a test. Catholic hospitals will be expected only to administer a pregnancy test, and under the terms of the state law they will not administer Plan B if the woman is pregnant.

However if the woman has ovulated, conception could occur-- and thus the drug would have an abortifacient effect-- after the administration of the pregnancy test. So many Catholic ethicists argue that the pill should not be used if ovulation has occurred. Although moralists disagree on that point, the Connecticut bishops, in their May letter to Governor Rell, had argued that the requirement of an ovulation test was based on the "more probable teaching."

The bishops now emphasize that the Church has not rendered a definitive judgment on that issue. "To administer Plan B pills without an ovulation test is not an intrinsically evil act," the bishops said in a statement released through the Connecticut Catholic Conference. "Since the teaching authority of the Church has not definitively resolved this matter and since there is serious doubt about how Plan B pills work, the Catholic bishops of Connecticut have stated that Catholic hospitals in the state may follow protocols that do not require an ovulation test in the treatment of victims of rape."

For more on this check out the excellent coverage at American Papist.

Surprise, Surprise, This Didn't Go Well...

2007-09-24T21:14:00.000-05:00

From Fox News:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday questioned why Iran can't have a nuclear program when the United States has one, repeated his inference that historical accounts of the Holocaust are myths, and denied that there are homosexuals in Iran.

In animated remarks before students and faculty at a controversial speaking engagment at Columbia university, the Iranian leader also denied that Iran sponsors terror, and instead pointed the finger at the U.S. government as a supporter of terrorism.

"We don't need to resort to terrorism. We've been victims of terrorism, ourselves," he said. "Within six months, over 4,000 Iranians lost their lives, assassinated by terrorist groups. All this carried out by the hand of one single terrorist group. Regretfully, that same terrorist group now, today, in your country, is operating under the support of the U.S. administration, working freely, distributing declarations freely, and their camps in Iraq are supported by the U.S. government."

Ahmadinejad did not name the group to which he was referring.

Columbia President Lee Bollinger opened the program with a blistering introduction in which he lambasted Ahmadinejad for calling for the annihilation of Israel, denying the Holocaust and supporting the execution of children, and told the leader of Iran that he resembled "a petty and cruel dictator."

Bollinger levied repeated criticisms against Ahmadinejad, calling on him to answer a series of challenges about his leadership, blasting his views about the "myth" of the Holocaust as being "absurd," and saying that he doubted he "will have the intellectual courage to answer these questions."

"You are either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated," Bollinger told Ahmadinejad about the leader's Holocaust denial. "Will you cease this outrage?"

After sitting through Bollinger's rebuke, Ahmadinejad rose to applause, and after a religious invocation, opened his remarks by objecting to the scolding, saying it was insulting to be spoken about that way.

"At the outset, I want to complain a bit about the person who read this political statement made against me," Ahmadinejad said. "In Iran, we don't think it's necessary to come in before the speech has already begun with a series of complaints ... It was an insult to information and the knowledge of the audience here."

He said Bollinger's speech was full of "insults and claims that were incorrect, regretfully," and accused Bollinger of offering "unfriendly treatment" under the influence of the U.S. press and politicians.

He did not address Bollinger's accusations directly, instead launching into a long religious discussion laced with quotes from the Koran before turning to criticism of the Bush administration and past American governments, from warrantless wiretapping to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

He asked why the United States was allowed to develop nuclear weapons capabilities, but his country was not.

"How come you have that right and we don’t have it?" he challenged.

On the issue of the Holocaust, Ahmadinejad said more "research" was needed on what took place, but he seemed to acknowledge that it did exist.

"I am not saying that it didn't happen at all. This is not that judgment that I am passing here," he said. "Granted this happened, what does it have to do with the Palestinian people? ... Why is it that the Palestinian people are paying the price for an event they had nothing to do with?"

And the Iranian leader denied that homosexuality exists in his country when asked to explain the execution of homosexuals in Iran.

"In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country," he said, to laughter and boos from the audience. 'In Iran we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know who's told you that we have this."

Ahmadinejad began the first full day of his controversial New York City trip Monday--his third in three years-- amid mounting protests and air-tight security, with his first appearance beginning just after noon EDT via video before the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. His highly publicized visit to Columbia University in New York City began at 1:30 p.m.

You get the point. The rest of story, here.

"Seminarians" Gets Nod From TIME Magazine

2007-09-22T23:39:00.000-05:00

In covering the story of a certain Dr. Lina Pavanelli's opinion that John Paul II was euthanized, (She makes this judgment on "on her medical expertise and her own observations of the ailing pontiff on television, as well as press reports and a subsequent book by John Paul's personal physician.") TIME Magazine refered to a story I did about a week ago. Naturally, I was honored to receive a hat tip from a source as noteworthy as TIME so I thought I'd link to their story.

I'm not exactly sure what to make of this story. The doctor they are refering to had no contact with the dying pontiff, except for what her T.V. was telling her. In addition, she didn't seem to care three years ago when it happened but only became interested after a largly contested case of euthanasia in Italy last year.

It seems to me that they are giving attention to someone who doesn't really deserve it. (Which is kind of ironic, don't you think...haha) In the end the story serves no purpose but to raise doubt about the integrity of the Church and her teaching. However, the article did end on this note:

The medical aspects of the Pope's final days are clearly difficult to verify from afar, and the Vatican is convinced that the actions of the both its doctors and its Pope were in absolute good faith. Of course, medical opinions can often vary. So too can those on bioethics.

Not sure what to make of that last sentence though...

Always the Last to Know...

2007-09-21T12:15:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, when the NFP vs. Contraception Vids were really popular CNA did a story about them. Obviously, I never knew about this...

So, I figured I'd run their story and link to all six videos in case I have any new readers who didn't have a chance to see them the first time.

Saginaw, Aug 2, 2007 / 09:59 am (CNA).- A group of seminarians has joined the YouTube phenomenon and posted three one-minute videos on the Church’s teachings about contraception.

The videos, entitled "NFP vs. Contraception", are a take on the popular Mac-PC commercials.

The three videos have already had nearly 9,000 views combined. According to Nielson/NetRatings, the website has nearly 20 million visitors per month, with the dominant age group being 12 to 17 year-olds.

The actors are seminarians for the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, Dan Kogut and Jeremy Meuser.

Kogut, who mimics the cool Mac personality in the popular commercials, plays the part of “NFP” and represents the Catholic position on sex, sexuality and natural family planning. Meuser impersonates the PC personality as “Contraception”. Eddie Dwyer, a seminarian for the Diocese of Saginaw, wrote the three skits.

The seminarians decided to make the videos while at the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska, this summer.

“Eddie definitely had evangelization in mind with the skits, but we also just thought it would be fun to do and that people might get a kick out of it,” Kogut told CNA.

The seminarians’ videos join hundreds of other pro-life videos are posted on YouTube.

Here are the Vids:

NFP vs. Contraception I
NFP vs. Contraception II
NFP vs. Contraception III
NFP vs. Contraception IV
NFP vs. Contraception V
NFP vs. Contraception VI

Amazing Coverage of Planned Parenthood Fraud on Sean Hannity

2007-09-20T18:44:00.000-05:00

This coverage is amazing for a mainstream media source. Thank God for helping us to get the word out about the evils of Planned Parenthood!

I covered the example of statutory rape in the video back in May. Here's the link.

Pope Offers Advice To Couples For Avoiding Divorce

2007-09-20T18:20:00.000-05:00

CNA: Pope Benedict XVI continued in his series of catecheses on the subject of the Fathers of the Church today in his General Audience. The church father that the pontiff drew upon is the saint known as the “Golden Mouth”, or perhaps more commonly as St. John Chrysostom.

The Holy Father stressed how St. Chrysostom teaches that if young couples want to avoid divorce, then they should be formed in their faith before marriage and once married, they should form their children from a young age.

Modern message of St. Chrysostom

Benedict XVI focused on how "St. John Chrysostom was concerned that his writings should accompany the integral - physical, intellectual and religious - development of the person." The Pope then explained how St. John thought a person should develop in their faith as they grow.

In his works, the saint highlighted the importance of childhood because it is then "that inclinations to vice and virtue appear. For this reason the law of God must, from the beginning, be impressed upon the soul 'as upon a wax tablet'."

Childhood, said the Pope referring to the saint's writings, "is followed by the sea of adolescence in which the gales blow violently as concupiscence grows within us."

For an age such as ours, that is witnessing constant attacks on the family, St. John Chrysostom had great words of wisdom for couples planning to marry. The eloquent church father said, "that a well prepared husband and wife close the way to divorce: everything takes place joyfully and children can be educated to virtue. When the first child is born, he or she is like a bridge: the three become a single flesh because the child brings the two parts together and all together they constitute a family, a little Church."

The Pope also recalled how the saint used to address his writings to the lay faithful who, "through Baptism, take on the priestly office, royal and prophetic. ... This lesson of Chrysostom on the authentically Christian presence of the lay faithful in the family and in society is today more important than ever."

For the complete story...

299 and counting

2007-09-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

Less then 300 days...

And the Award Goes to...

2007-09-17T09:46:00.000-05:00

...Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota.

In the spirit of this weekend's Emmy awards I thought it would be an appropriate time to hand out an award as notable and desirable. And this latest recipient is surely worthy of it.

Recently, Catholic News Agency reported that the Bishop was promoting an ecumenical push for the end of abortion in the state.

In a letter posted on the Diocese of Fargo Web site, Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Bishop of Fargo, encourages the faithful to participate in the national, ecumenical “40 Days for Life” campaign.

“Make a plan for prayer and fasting,” Bishop Aquila writes. “Then, if you are not homebound or physically impaired, schedule an hour or more of prayerful vigil. I have asked each priest of the diocese to do the same and to challenge you to follow his example.”

The bishop has already scheduled a personal time of prayer. “I will be at the abortion facility on Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m.” he writes.

According to their website, the "40 Days for Life" campaign is planning its next forty days from September 26 through November 4. They provide a simple three step plan of 1) Prayer and Fasting 2)Peaceful Vigil and 3)Community Outreach.

Why forty days you ask? Again, the website provides the answers:

Throughout Biblical history, God has used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities and nations...

Noah was transformed by 40 days of rain
Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai
David was transformed by Goliath's 40 day challenge
Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from one meal
Nineveh was transformed when God gave the city 40 days to remain faithful
Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the desert
The Disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus following His resurrection

Imagine the transformation God could accomplish in America this fall when individuals and communities unite together for 40 days of prayer and fasting, pulling out all the stops to end the violence of abortion...

You can be a part of that transformation by taking action today!

Pro-life work is not new to Bishop Aquila or the diocese of Fargo. In a state that can only claim one abortion clinic:

Bishop Aquila conducts a public prayer service in front of the facility each Good Friday. The diocesan Respect Life office coordinates a Eucharistic procession to the abortion facility each year, with this year’s procession to be October 7, Respect Life Sunday.

If you can, read the Bishop's letter found here. Some highlights from CNA:

In the letter Bishop Aquila reminds readers of the words of John Paul II in The Gospel of Life, quoting “the life of every individual, from its very beginning, is part of God’s plan.” The bishop then continues in his own words, “Think about what these words express. A definite plan exists in the heart of God for every human life – your life, my life, the life of every child growing within the womb of its mother. Knowing these words are true, how can we be silent when unborn children are killed through abortion, every week, within our own diocese?”

“Each day people who are active in pro-life efforts pray for those considering abortion, educate the public about the abortion crisis, and do other good works to protect the lives of unborn children,” the bishop writes. “I commend them and thank them. Those efforts save lives and change hearts. They help to keep abortion numbers low in North Dakota.”

“But low numbers are not enough,” he continues. “Not even one abortion per week is acceptable. Not one per month. Not one per year. Not one in our lifetime.”

Bishop Aquila quotes the Declaration of Independence, then notes, “The dignity of the human person begins at the moment of conception, not at birth. The dignity, as recognized by the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is bestowed by the Creator, and no one has the right to destroy innocent unborn life.”

The bishop addresses specific prayer intentions for the “40 Days for Life” campaign, writing “we will pray for the mothers, fathers and families who have experienced abortions, for those who provide and assist in abortions, for those who encourage mothers toward abortion, for politicians who support so-called abortion rights, for court justices, and for a change of heart within all persons who have abandoned the truth of the dignity of human life from the moment of conception. We will also pray for ongoing strength and courage for our politicians and judges who faithfully defend the lives of mothers and children by opposing abortion. Their efforts on behalf of true human dignity and civic responsibility are invaluable in the defense of life.”

He continues, “I ask you to pray especially for the conversion of the hearts and minds of Catholic and Christian politicians who have chosen to follow secularism and political expediency rather than the truth of the Gospel. Beg God to enlighten their hearts and minds with the truth and grant them receptivity to the truth. Pray that their hearts and minds may be opened to see the errors of their judgment. Pray that their consciences may be well-formed, upright and truthful.”

Thank you Bishop Aquila!

Vatican: Feeding Tubes Obligatory

2007-09-16T12:04:00.000-05:00

In case there was any doubt...

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith clarified that the administration of nutrition and hydration to people in the so-called vegetative state is, with rare exceptions, morally obligatory.

The document and accompanying note, released today and approved by Benedict XVI, came as an answer to questions presented to the Vatican by the U.S. bishops in 2005.

The questions were sent just months after Florida woman Terri Schiavo, who was living in a vegetative state after having sustained brain-damage, died 13 days after having her feeding tube removed.

Schiavo's estranged husband requested that her feeding tube be removed, but her Catholic parents said this would constitute murder. After years of legal battles, a judge decreed that the tube should be removed.

Edward Furton, ethicist and director of publications for the Philadelphia-based National Catholic Bioethics Center, told ZENIT that the Vatican statement "speaks directly to the Terri Schiavo case, stating flat out that the removal of food and water from her was not the right thing to do."

He added that the statements "are a reaffirmation of John Paul II's 2004 statement which calls Catholics to provide food and water to patients in PVS [persistent vegetative state]. It affirms that food and water are ordinary care and not considered medical treatment."

Furton explained that there has been "considerable debate about this issue among theologians in this country, with two different schools. Many thought that after John Paul II's statement, the case was closed, but doubts persisted."

He continued: "Some said John Paul II was breaking with Pius XII's teaching, which is mentioned in the Vatican clarification. Pius XII had a lot to say about these issues and was well ahead of his time.

"But the [Vatican] commentary makes pains to say that there is no contradiction between what John Paul II said and what Pius XII taught. Pius XII was speaking about patients who were near death or even already dead. John Paul II was talking about patients who are not dying."

The Zenit.com story then gives some examples of possible exceptions as well as the reason for the Vatican's ruling. Human dignity demands this basic treatment and this dignity is from God, it is not something we give ourselves or even earn.

Lets hope this clarifies the issue for Catholics dealing with difficult end of life issues.

Saginaw Seminarian Update...

2007-09-14T08:16:00.000-05:00

I have received several e-mails recently asking for news on the current statistics for priestly vocations in Saginaw (a.k.a. Seminarians). So, I figured now would be a good time to run a post. The picture above was taken August 15, at the Rite of Candidacy Mass and includes, along with the 24 seminarians, our vocation director Bishop Carlson, his assistant vocation director Mark Graveline, and Permanent Deacon Al Oliver

Here is a bit that was written up by the Diocesan communications office on the occasion of the Rite of Candidacy, August 15, the patronal feast of the diocese.

SAGINAW – Nine diocesan seminarians appeared before Bishop Robert J. Carlson to receive the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders today, the feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary Cathedral.

The rite of candidacy publicly acknowledges the intent of those aspiring to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. During the celebration, the bishop publicly accepts them as candidates for the priesthood.

The seminarians who participated the rite include:

Eddie Dwyer, 25, of Escanaba, who is entering his first year of theology studies at Mundelien Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.;

Nate Harburg, 26, of Ann Arbor, who is enrolled for pre-theology studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit;

Wilfrid Houeto, 48, of Benin, who is enrolled in Licentiate studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and serves as director of religious education at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw;

David Jenuwine, 45, of Detroit, who is entering his third year of theology studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.;

Joseph Jiang, 24, of China, who is entering his first year of theology studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.;

José Parra, 30, of Colombia, who is participating in a formation year at the St. John Vianney Formation House in Saginaw;

Marcel Portelli, 44, of Waterford, who is entering his first year theology studies at Mundelien Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.;

Prentice Tipton, 53, of Detroit, who entering his third year of theology studies at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.; and

Rick Varner, 40, of St. Agnes Parish in Sanford, who entering his fourth year of theology studies at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Conn.

In total, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has 24 enrolled as seminarians this academic season, including five transitional deacons, who are on track for priestly ordination during the next year.

Please keep us all in your prayers as we continue to discern God's Holy Will for our lives.

This might help...

Author of Lastest Mother Teresa Book Offers Clarifications

2007-09-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

CNA:

In an interview with the Spanish daily “La Razon,” Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, author of the book “Come Be My Light” and postulator of Mother Teresa’s cause of canonization, said the revered nun “lived a trial of faith, not a crisis of faith,” and that she overcame it showing that the love “is in the will and not in feelings.”

“Come Be My Light” is a collection of letters Mother Teresa written about various aspects of her life, some revealing that she suffered spiritual darkness for decades. Father Kolodiejchuk expressed regret that Time Magazine twisted the meaning of the book, whose title comes from “the words Jesus spoke to Mother Teresa in 1947. Time Magazine, even with the cover photo (of a Mother Teresa who appears depressed), has greatly manipulated world opinion. The book is about a trial of faith that Mother endured for 50 years, which is very different from a crisis of faith. This is not something new in the saints. This phenomenon of the dark night is well know in spiritual theology,” he said.

A very good article which will hopefully clarify the possible scandal that was caused by TIME Magazine. It goes on to explain what a trial and a dark night are. (click here for the full story) Hopefully, this will reach many of the people who were confused about Mother's faith life...

Pavarotti Returns to the Catholic Faith Before Dying

2007-09-11T07:42:00.000-05:00

Well, after taking a bit to get settled back in the seminary for another academic year,
Seminarians is back and I couldn't think of a better story to start with then Pavarotti returning to his Catholic Faith before going home to the Lord. CNA has the story:

Luciano Pavarotti, the world renowned tenor was laid to rest in Modena’s cathedral with a grand funeral which paid tribute to the opera legend and gave witness to his return to the Catholic faith.

The diocese had received criticisms that it had gone overboard in honoring a remarried divorcé. But Pavarotti's parish priest, Fr. Remo Sartori, said the twice-married singer had been reconciled with the Catholic faith, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Pavarotti had received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before losing his battle against pancreatic cancer last Thursday, aged 71.

Church leaders and pastors, including Pope Benedict XVI, sent messages conveying their condolences. The Pope’s message expressed his sorrow at the loss of "a great artist who with his extraordinary interpretative talent honored the divine gift of music".

In his tribute, Archbishop Benito Cocchi of Modena recognized Pavarotti as an exceptional talent and as someone who “expressed himself in charity towards those who suffered."

One of the emotional climaxes of the funeral was a 1978 recording of Panis Angelicus (Bread Of Angels), performed by Pavarotti and his father, Fernando.

Another followed a prayer composed by Pavarotti's three eldest daughters from his first marriage, which said: "We thank God for having given Dad the gift of a great voice and we pray that he will allow him to use it in heaven to sing his praise."

Pavarotti's musical talent emerged in a church choir, where he sang with his father, Fernando Pavarotti, who was a baker. His father also had a terrific tenor voice, but stage fright prevented him from developing his talent.

NFP vs. Contraception VI

2007-09-08T09:29:00.000-05:00

...and here's number 6

NFP vs. Contraception V

2007-09-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

Here is the fifth installment...enjoy!

Pope Encourages Young People To Put Their Lives In The Care Of Mary

2007-08-23T08:48:00.001-05:00

Zenit.org:

Benedict XVI invited young people to put themselves under the protection of Mary.

The Pope said this today at the end of the general audience in Paul VI Hall, on the memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"We raise our gaze to heaven to contemplate the splendor of the Holy Mother of God, who the liturgy invites us to invoke today as our queen," the Pontiff said.

"Dear young people," added the Holy Father, "put your lives and each of your projects under the maternal protection of the one who gave to the world a savior."

Speaking to the sick, Benedict XVI continued: "As you wait to regain your health, ask her each day for the strength to confront with patience the trials of suffering."

To the newlyweds present, the Pope said: "Cultivate a sincere devotion to her so that she will be at your side in your daily life."

Michigan Governor Removes Petition From Website

2007-08-21T12:52:00.001-05:00

As reported earlier, Governor Granholm of Michigan had placed a petition on a public website for the overturning of Michigan's law against embryonic stem-cell research. Now, it seems, she's backed off:

Michigan Gov. Jenifer Granholm’s office has removed its petition supporting embryonic stem-cell research from the governor’s publicly funded website.

The governor’s action came less than a week after the Thomas More Law Center filed a federal lawsuit asking the court to either ban the petition or allow pro-life groups to place their own petition supporting the ban on embryonic stem-cell research on the website.

“The battle is not yet over. She [Granholm] has not yet answered our lawsuit,” said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Law Center. “It’s important to keep in mind that the website in question is paid for and owned by the people of this state; it is not Gov. Granholm’s personal property. Yet, she only allowed people who supported her position to use the website to petition the leaders of the legislature -- a clear case of discrimination against citizens who are pro-life.”

Law Center spokesperson Mallary Hernly said the issue is one of “fundamental fairness.”

“It is not about Governor Granholm voicing her opinion,” he said in a press communiqué. “It’s about only allowing persons who agree with her position to use a publicly funded website to communicate with their legislative representatives.”

The Thomas More Law Center filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Lansing on behalf of the Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, Flint-Area Right To Life, and Right To Life – Lifespan.

The lawsuit also seeks a declaration that Granholm’s policy violated the constitutional rights of those citizens who were denied equal access to, and use of, the website.

Further, it is not yet apparent whether the governor’s action is a principled end to the discrimination or simply an attempt to put the lawsuit to rest.

329 Days and Counting...

2007-08-21T09:18:00.000-05:00

Vatican Plans Pilgrimage Flights To Various Destinations

2007-08-21T09:01:00.001-05:00

From The Guardian:

The Vatican may have territorial limits, its own post office and even a football tournament, but it has hitherto lacked what all real states offer: an airline.
That will be put right this month as the Vatican launches its first charter flights for pilgrims from Rome to Lourdes, with some of the world's top religious destinations to follow, including the shrine of Fatima in Portugal and the shrine of the Madonna of Guadalupe in Mexico.

"The spirit of this new initiative is to meet the growing demand by pilgrims to visit the most important sites for the faith," Father Cesare Atuire at the Vatican pilgrimage office, the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, told La Repubblica. He said that with 8 million visitors a year, Lourdes was an obvious first destination.

The flights come thanks to a deal with Italian charter airline Mistral, whose blue and yellow colours coincidentally match the Vatican's, noted CEO Valerio Vaglio.

Mr Vaglio said the headrests on passengers' seats would sport the logo "I'm Searching for Your Face, Lord", while religious guides would be on hand, alongside the usual stewards.

The inaugural flight will include Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the former head of the Italian Bishops Conference, La Repubblica said.

Mistral was launched by the Italian action and comedy film star Bud Spencer and today it is controlled by the Italian post office. Mr Vaglio said that at night, the aircraft flying pilgrimage routes will have their seats removed and be converted back to flying sacks of mail.

Father Atuire hinted that luxury would not be a selling point. "The cost of the packages will bear in mind that the customers will be pilgrims," he said.

H/T American Papist

This Is Just Sick

2007-08-13T14:49:00.000-05:00

FoxNews.com: A service offering a complete "revenge package" in which people can destroy the financial status and relationships of their enemies at the click of a mouse is being offered over the Internet.

For as little as $20 a month, customers of the confidentialaccess.com Web site can make the credit ratings of people they dislike plummet, and even have them suspected of fraud.

Victims' bank accounts can be shut down remotely and all their essential utilities cut off.

Fake e-mails and text messages which purport to come from someone else, such as the victim's spouse, can be sent containing false accusations of affairs or sexual liaisons.

The new "revenge" services are the latest example of the harm the Internet can cause individuals.

A British House of Lords committee report published last week described criminality on the Web as so bad that it was like "the Wild West."

The Web site, which also offers to create perfect "novelty" copies of any documentation necessary to enable the customer to gain revenge, promises its services "can create mayhem."

"CA [Confidential Access] can make it so someone couldn't even get an ice cream cone on credit again," the site promises.

One way of doing this, it explains, is to apply repeatedly for credit using the victim's name and multiple addresses, leading inevitably to a red flag from Britain's Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System (Cifas) or similar agencies.

Credit is then stopped until an investigation by Cifas decides whether the subject has been the perpetrator or victim of fraud.

The story continues...

In addition, there was provided this Editor's Note:

At one point Monday morning, the front page of www.confidentialaccess.com had been replaced by a lengthy ad offering content optimization on RSS feeds.

What appeared to have been the original front page later reappeared, with "revenge" services no longer offered, but many other fraudulent documents such as fake driver's licenses and bank statements still available.

People who provide "services" like this should be in jail. Period. The world has become almost un-navigable outside of the Internet so when people can destroy lives this easily, you can't help but be a bit frightened...

Michigan Governor Being Sued for Discrimination

2007-08-13T11:08:00.000-05:00

CNA: The Thomas More Law Center has filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm for discrimination against citizens who oppose embryonic stem-cell research. The law center is a national public interest law firm, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The governor is allowing citizens to use her office’s website to submit a petition urging legislators to lift the state’s legal restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research.

However, the governor has refused the request of pro-life groups to place a petition on the same website opposing efforts to lift the ban.

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of three pro-life organizations, the Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, Flint-Area Right To Life, and Right To Life - Lifespan, after the governor refused their request.

“Governor Granholm’s decision to use public funds to discriminate against citizens who disagree with her on the issue of stem cell research violates our clients’ constitutional rights of speech, association, equal protection, and petitioning,” said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, in a press release.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Lansing. It seeks a declaration that Granholm’s policy violates the constitutional rights of those citizens who were denied equal access to, and use of, the website.

It also seeks injunctive relief ordering Granholm to cease discriminating against citizens based on their views about legal restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research in Michigan.

CNA's Coverage Of Giuliani's Religious Stance

2007-08-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

I thought this was interesting considering all the attention the media is paying already to the 2008 Presidential Race...

Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani seems to want to have it both ways when it comes to being Catholic. As he campaigns for president, the Republican frontrunner brings up his Catholic background occasionally but refuses to say whether or not he is a practicing Catholic.

When a voter asked this week if he is a "traditional, practicing Roman Catholic," Giuliani insisted his faith should be private, according to the AP.

"My religious affiliation, my religious practices and the degree to which I am a good or not-so-good Catholic, I prefer to leave to the priests," the former New York mayor responded in Davenport, Iowa.

It would be difficult for him to answer yes. Someone who, like Giuliani, divorces and remarries without getting an annulment from the church cannot receive communion or other church sacraments.

Nevertheless, AP-Ipsos surveys in June and July found that about 25 percent of Catholics support Giuliani, with 22 percent remaining undecided.

While Democrats are talking more about faith in the 2008 campaign, Republicans, at least Romney and Giuliani, are not. Yet Giuliani brings up his Catholic upbringing when it suits him.

"My first class without prayers was my first day of law school," he said last month in Le Mars, Iowa, drawing chuckles from voters at a family restaurant, the AP reported.

"I believe in God," Giuliani said. "I pray and ask him for help. I pray like a lawyer. I try to make a deal -- get me out of this jam, and I'll start going back to church."

More quality here...

NFP vs. Contraception IV

2007-08-06T22:36:00.000-05:00

As promised, here is number four...enjoy

Why Can't They Leave Us Alone?

2007-07-31T20:40:00.000-05:00

Well, here they go.

CNA is reporting (GLORY BE TO GOD!!!) that the Catholic Church refuses invitation to join condom campaign for WYD 2008

Yes that is right. They won't leave us in peace. They won't respect our beliefs. They won't accept that we will not hold the hand of Satan right into the pits of hell. It irks them. Oh, and don't tell me this offer from the NSW (New South Wales) Department of Health was made innocently. They know perfectly well what the stance of the Catholic Church is on contraception and sexual relations outside of marriage. It is BECAUSE of that very reason that they will be there, trying to pollute the hearts and minds of young people who simply want to find Christ at WYD.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that:

The NSW Department of Health will have to go it alone if it wants to develop and disseminate any messages about safe sex, including information on HIV and sexually transmittable diseases, which it provided for the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the Gay Games and the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

hm... I wonder what was the first thing that turned off the Church from associating with this group, the "Gay Games" (don't even ask) or the annual "Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras." hm, yeah I bet they aren't preparing for Lent with that one...

However, as great as that last paragraph was, this one takes the cake:

The church's "head in the sand approach" has drawn criticism from the Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, who described its position as dangerous and said it missed an important opportunity to send a message of lifelong safe practices to young participants.

Number one, is the newspaper giving its own opinion with the quotations around "head in the sand approach?" There is no reference given to the quote so it makes you wonder. Second, this Lee Rhiannon, yeah she's a real winner. Her personal website brags that she "Champion gay, lesbian and transgender rights. Lee campaigned hard to lower the age of consent for gay males, and has now launched a bill to prevent discrimination at private schools and small businesses." Cosmos~Liturgy~Sex describes her (with tongue-in-cheek) as "somewhat of a Stalinist, but without the sense of humor."

I'm not sure I want her sending any "messages."

But I think it is great that it is the Church that is "missing an important opportunity to send a message of lifelong safe practices to [its] young participants." Last I checked, it was the Church that promoted safe, healthy, and moral practices while the "contraceptive party" had their "head in the sand" about the risks.

I guess what irks me the most is the blatant attempt to infect something that is part of what I call, The Evolution of the Young. The young generation, my generation (I'm 26), is beginning to evolve out of the muck and the slime commonly known as the 60's, 70's and 80's. We are demanding moral living and a Catholic community that is Catholic. (imagine that) We are not into protesting, making statements, and arguing with the Church. Not because we don't have the energy, mind you. It's because we are putting so much energy in discovering the beauty of the Church's teaching and living our lives to the absolute fullest within the context of truth.

I am going to Australia next summer and so I say this to all those who are planning to infect us and lead us away from God. YOU WILL NOT! You will not pollute my generation as your own was polluted. You will not "enlighten" us to the benefits of sterilizing ourselves. You will not mock our belief.

You will not ignore the power we possess.

You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses Acts 1:8

Those NFP Videos...

2007-07-31T20:37:00.000-05:00

Lots of people have been asking when the next installment of NFP vs. Contraception is due to arrive...keep your pants on. We're working on it. Expect at least 2-3 more videos, here at Saginaw Seminarians of course...

5000 Visits! 8000 Page Views!

2007-07-30T13:52:00.000-05:00

Seminarians passed a new milestone today as we received visit #5000!

Thanks to all the readers of Saginaw Seminarians for making us a part of your reading enjoyment!

NFP vs. Contraception III

2007-07-29T17:59:00.000-05:00

Here is the third in the NFP vs. Contraception series by some of us seminarians participating in the Institute For Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska. The first was posted here and the second was posted here.

Enjoy and leave feedback!

New Addition to "Saginaw Seminarians"

2007-07-29T15:45:00.001-05:00

Look to your right --------->

Notice anything new?

That's right. Now you can give your input in a whole new way here at Saginaw Seminarians. Periodically there will be a poll question to discuss a current issue in the news or on the blog. Join in the fun and cast your vote!

p.s. you are also always encouraged to leave feed back in the comments box under each post as well as email me comments and suggestions at
saginawseminarians@gmail.com

Credit Where Credit Is Due...

2007-07-29T14:10:00.000-05:00

For the readers of Seminarians who live in the Saginaw area, you are in no doubt familiar with TV5 News. Every weekend they have a video opinion column from a local radio personality, Mr. Jonny Burke. Now, I can't say that I always agree with Mr. Burke's opinions and beliefs but I have to applaud him this week. While commenting on the recent Michael Vick dog fighting case, Mr. Burke questioned the amount of enthusiasm that is being thrust into protesting Mr. Vick. He was not questioning the validity of the protest, but rather the priority people were giving to tortured and killed dogs over the tortured and killed babies of abortion. Yes, you heard right, ABORTION! I was thrilled to hear that the case against abortion was defended right over the airwaves on a secular news station. If you didn't get the chance to see the video, click here.

If you get a chance, write, call, or e-mail TV5 and let them know that you appreciated this latest defense of life.

NFP vs. Contraception II

2007-07-29T09:59:00.001-05:00

Here is number 2 in the series...enjoy!

Fr. Frank Pavone Rebukes Some Christian Pastors

2007-07-28T11:54:00.000-05:00

CNA reports:

Fr. Frank Pavone, the head of the pro-life religious order, Priests for Life, has issued a stinging rebuke to some Christian pastors who have tried to silence pro-life protestors.

Fr. Pavone was particularly upset about an event that happened in Birmingham, Alabama.

"The Birmingham News carried a story on Thursday wherein some local pastors said that pro-life activists who held events on public sidewalks near their Churches 'did not have permission' to hold the events.

For the rest...

NFP vs. Contraception

2007-07-26T22:22:00.000-05:00

Have you seen those funny Mac commercials that personify the Mac computer and the PC and then proceed to inform you why Mac is the better choice by comparing the two? Some seminary friends of mine got the brilliant idea of doing the same thing, imagining what a conversation between Contraception and NFP would look like.

More to come...

39 Years and Counting...

2007-07-25T16:51:00.000-05:00

My friend Jeremy Priest, who writes the very interesting blog Turning Towards The Lord, reminded me that we are celebrating 39 years of Humanae Vitae today! He has written a quality post about the historical encyclical on his blog. Here is a highlight:

It was not to be. Pope Paul VI received both the majority report and the minority report from the papal contraception commission. The majority report said that the Church should change its traditional stance against contraception. This report was leaked to the press, it is thought, in order to pressure an affirmative decision from the Pope Paul. The minority report, penned with the help of a certain Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, stated that the Church should reaffirm the traditional teaching with new language. Pope Paul agreed.

Enjoy the post and then go get some ice cream and cake to celebrate!

Oh, and in case you wanted to brush up on your Humanae here it is...

The Evolution of the Young

2007-07-25T12:35:00.001-05:00

A recent report on a prominent Catholic website reported the current numbers of those registered for World Youth Day and promise, yet again, high numbers:

SYDNEY, Australia (Catholic Online) – More than 80,000 pilgrims are now numbered among those groups registered to attend the World Youth Day Sydney 2008, according to organizers of the 23rd annual event.

This being reported over a year before the actual event takes place. Organizers expect upwards to 500,000 people all between the ages of 18 to about 35 to descend on Sydney for the event that takes place every 2-3 years. The event looks to eclipse the amount of people Sydney hosted during the Olympics back in 2000 according to this legislative document from the Parliament of New South Wales.

However, even with such impressive numbers, this World Youth Day looks to actually be a bit smaller than previous ones. Numbers vary from year to year and from place to place but if one were to take a cumulative average of the international event's attendance they would find that it sits at almost 1.8 million. This was helped, in part, because of the 1995 Philippines WYD which hosted around 10 million. Without the 1995 celebration however, WYD generally attracts about 1 million youth to its celebration.

What do these young people come for?

Well, to be honest, they come to see the Pope. But there are so many other reasons they come as well, including the whole spirituality of pilgrimage and a chance to come into contact with youth from around the world and more importantly with Jesus, Mary, and the Sacraments.

Why do they come?

This question could be answered by simply restating the above paragraph but I think that the World Youth Days are symptomatic of another growing phenomenon in the Church throughout the world. Young people are embracing the Faith. Young People are embracing the Church and what it has to offer them. They are not seeking to "reinvent" the church or even "Sing a New Church Into Being." Young people are rediscovering what was thrown off in the sixties and seventies as pre-Vatican II and finding a faith that has existed for 2000 years. Now, I'm not saying that they are running to Masses celebrated according to the Missal of John XXIII, they are simply discovering that the Church of Vatican Council II IS the Church of the past 2000 years and what was handed on to them from their parent's generation was a church invented, who knows where, sometime after the Council but blaming all of its "ideas" on the Council.

They are taking the words of Paul to Timothy very seriously:

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

What brings up this current commentary? A few things, actually. One is the book I have begun to read by Colleen Carroll called The New Faithful. It is her attempt to chronicle the very phenomenon I have just spoken about. But more recently there is an editorial written for the National Catholic Reporter in which Rita Larivee comments on this growing trend as well.

She immediately calls into question her own credibility when, in naming universal principles she has learned in her life, says that "authority is relative." Obviously she has not read Romans 13:, "whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves." But I digress...

What she is really concerned about is the fact that the average age of her publication's readership continues to rise. Take it away Rita:

The average age of an NCR reader is about 68. This average has been on a continual rise since the late ’60s, when the average age was about 36. During Vatican II, most of our readers would have been in their mid-20s to mid-30s, formative adult years.

So, if I get this right, in just under forty years, the average age of their reader ship has grown by 32 years. It seems to me that they found an audience that was locked in time. The ideas they promote do not give life but are only progressing towards death.

She then draws the line in the sand saying,

there’s a new battleground taking shape. It’s hardly life-giving for anyone, regardless of where one falls on the political spectrum. Many Catholics, particularly the young, have left quietly in search of something more meaningful.

Well, maybe it is a battleground and this is sad indeed. We should be moving toward the future as one united Church that, amidst the differing ideas, doesn't describe their differences as "battle ground." And I don't mean to address those words to Rita Larivee, I have heard plenty of "conservative" catholics speak with the same tone. This so-called "battleground" does not bring forth life, as she said, but only causes more division.

However, one should look at the two sides of what she calls the "polarized" church. One, seemingly the reader of her publication, is getting older and losing a presence, while the other, represented by the World Youth Day crowd, is growing and finding its voice.

The young Church is listening to the advice of Paul to the Thessalonians "Test everything, hold fast to what is good." To say that one needs to throw off the Church before the Council is just as wrong as saying one should throw off the Church post Vatican II. This is not what the Council envisioned. It worked for a renewal through resourcement and aggiornamento. (The new and the old.) Those who seek to embrace both are living in the true "Spirit of Vatican II" not the ambiguous spirit that is always referred to when someone is advocating their agenda.

The Church of Vatican II is the Church of Jesus Christ. It is the Church of the Apostles, the Fathers, and the Martyrs. It is the same Church as Ephesus and Nicaea, Constantinople, and Trent. It is also the Church of Mother Theresa and John Paul II. It is a Church in a New Springtime and a New Evangelization. It is a young Church, it is a vibrant Church. It is a Church that must learn from her elders and her past (including the sixties and seventies) and must be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance to the future. It is the Church that I am a member of, the Mystical Body of Christ

What Ever Happened To The Flying Cars They Promised Us?

2007-07-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

I remember when I was a kid everyone waited for the year 2000 because that was when we were gonna get flying cars and computers that had personalities and could hold their own in a conversation. Well, 2000 has obviously come and gone and there are no flying cars to speak of, yet there is something about looking at concept cars and what they promise for the future. AOL.com has a neat story about concept ideas from the past that never panned out. I think my favorite is the one that ran from a little nuclear reactor in the back of the car...yeah, great idea guys...

Anyways, check it out, it's a fun little article.

photo credit

And It's Catholics That Suppress Women...

2007-07-24T19:07:00.000-05:00

On patrol with Iran's fashion police

Paul Potts

2007-07-24T11:51:00.000-05:00

I used to watch American Idol because I am generally a fan of the rags to riches story as well as a lover of music & singing. However, I soon became disillusioned with the show as I watched contestants voted off who clearly had more talent than folks who moved on to later rounds. It was simply a popularity contest in which the contestant who impressed the most teenage girls or had the most sex appeal won. My faith was lost in the ability of people to truly be presented with beauty and talent and recognize it. It seems all people are interested in is the glamor and the glitz, even if there is a hollow pot behind it.

I stopped watching.

A few moments ago, however, my faith was renewed as I was introduced to the story of Mr. Paul Potts the recent winner the TV contest Brittan's Got Talent. He was a cell phone salesman who had a dream to sing opera. He showed up at the set for the auditions and announced his plan to sing opera for the judges while, Simon Cowell, of American Idol fame, rolled his eyes and was visibly exasperated that he was going to have to sit through another mediocre performance.

The performance that followed made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end and tears come to my eyes. Even Mr. Cowell was visibly moved by the performance

Pure beauty flowed from this man's mouth.

What restored my faith was how the public fell in love with him. I wager that the people who listened to this man sing and voted for him to win rarely listen to opera and can not explain the differences between a good opera singer and a poor one. Yet, the thing they could recognize was the goodness and beauty in this man. The human heart still seeks and longs for beauty even though it sometimes gets mixed up as to what true beauty is.

To watch this man, who is not physically attractive, receive standing ovations during his performance because the audience was caught up in his beauty is a definite example of contemplation. Without knowing it, these folks caught sight of the beauty of God and they lost all sense of themselves. They were totally caught up in the other. And Mr. Potts signifies the true performer. He is filled with humility and gratitude. GRATITUDE! I couldn't believe it.

It is we who must thank you Paul Potts...

Please watch and give thanks...

His Audition for the Show

The Semi-Final Performance

The Competition Finals Performance

The Conclusion of the Show

Ave Maria Town Opens

2007-07-23T15:36:00.000-05:00

Not everyone is happy about it...

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3401115

Mary Did You Know?

2007-07-20T12:28:00.001-05:00

A beautiful combination of clips from the Passion and the classic Christmas song "Mary, Did You Know." Expect to see this back here around Christmas time...

Vatican State Publishes New Website

2007-07-20T11:01:00.000-05:00

This week the Vatican released its first attempt at a website. Now, I know you are thinking, "Wait a minute, the Vatican has had a website for years. In fact, don't you have a link to their website here at Seminarians?"

Well, the answer to all of that is, "yes." However, the Sovereign State known as the Vatican has not had a website, the Church has had a website. This site is less geared to the religiously minded and more to the coin collector.

Ok, so that was a gross over-simplification. Let me expound. The site is set up to be your typical government webpage with links to explainations of the history of the state as well as explainations to the governance of the smallest country in the world.

There are links to the phone service, the pharmacy, the radio and tv stations and the Philatelic and Numismatic Offices (stamps and money collectors welcome.)

There are links to purchase your very own piece of Vatican Art or find your very own proof set of 2007 Vatican issued Euros.

Finally, in what I (in my shallowness of mind, I think) find to be the neatest part of the website, you can see live webcam shots from in and around the Vatican. (looks like it was a nice sunny day there today...)

I think it is still work in progress and as intersested people flood their server it can be a little slow but it is definately worth the visit.

Here is what some of the news sources are saying:
CNA: Vatican City State enters the digital world
CNS: Vaticanstate.va: Navigating the world's smallest country
CWN: Vatican city-state launches web site with virtual tour

Pittsburgh Receives an Old Friend as a New Shepherd

2007-07-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

CNA reports:

This morning the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI has named the Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Most Reverend David A. Zubik as the Bishop of Pittsburgh. The Bishop Zubik’s reaction to the news was that he was “stunned” to hear of his appointment by the Pope.

Personally, this appointment is interesting to me because I was born in the diocese of Pittsburgh and have family still living in the area. From all reports, this seems to be a great fit for the diocese. Bishop Zubik grew up in the diocese, served as a priest and then as an auxilary bishop before moving to Green Bay. More of his "stats" can be found in a story the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette did about this time last year:

A Sewickley native, he was ordained in 1974. He spent five years in parish ministry before becoming vice principal of Quigley Catholic High School in Baden. He has a master's degree in education and is an excellent homilist. He is noted for his deep spirituality and life of prayer.

He became secretary to then-Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua in 1987 and rose through the chancery ranks. He was a key player in the diocesan reorganization that closed and merged parishes. He was made a bishop in 1997.

He was sent to Green Bay in 2003 to overhaul its administration. He has undertaken a Pittsburgh-style reorganization, but protests do not appear to have harmed his reputation. His Bishops' Appeal last year surpassed its goal of $4.8 million.

In 2004, he urged Catholics to make opposition to abortion and gay marriage top priorities when they voted, but he did not advocate denying communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

He has made outreach to Hispanics a priority and issued a strong statement urging compassion for all immigrants.

In church, "people are not illegal. People are people," he wrote.

He is a man who is well loved by the people and will be able to slide right into "the flow of things" because of his familiarity with the diocese and the friendships he already has with many of the priests there.

Wraping up his press confrence this morning he spoke about the future:

The newly appointed bishop says that his plans for his new diocese are to continue to try and involve the laity in leadership within the diocese, foster good relationships with people of other faiths, and to continue to strengthen the already strong Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Bishop Zubik closed the press conference by saying, “I beg for your prayers, patience, and your participation in the sacred service of leadership. I ask you to walk with me toward the kingdom.” He also invoked the protection of Mary the Mother of Jesus and offered God’s blessing to those gathered—“May God bless us always and in all ways.”

Bishop Zubik will be installed as Bishop of Pittsburgh at Saint Paul Cathedral, Oakland, on September 28, 2007, which he noted is the 49th anniversary of the late Pope John Paul II’s ordination as a bishop.

Out of the Office...

2007-07-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

I will be away for the weekend at the beautiful Broomtree Retreat Center in Irene, SD visiting some priest-friends of mine. The name of the retreat center comes from the story of Elijah, how he found rest under the broomtree for the journey he had ahead of him.

Anyways, see you on Monday...

hmm, yeah, this is a bit disturbing...

2007-07-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

...considering I was just in Boulder, CO and DRINKING the water...

BOULDER, Colo. (National Catholic Register) – When EPA-funded scientists at the University of Colorado studied fish in a pristine mountain stream known as Boulder Creek two years ago, they were shocked. Randomly netting 123 trout and other fish downstream from the city’s sewer plant, they found that 101 were female, 12 were male and 10 were strange “intersex” fish with male and female features.

It’s “the first thing that I’ve seen as a scientist that really scared me,” said then 59-year-old University of Colorado biologist John Woodling, speaking to the Denver Post in 2005.

They studied the fish and decided the main culprits were estrogens and other steroid hormones from birth-control pills and patches, excreted in urine into the city’s sewage system and then into the creek.

Boy, who woulda thunk it? Breaking the laws of nature and nature's God (I think I've heard that phrase somewhere before...) causes chaos. The story continues...

Since their findings, stories have been emerging everywhere. Scientists in western Washington found that synthetic estrogen – a common ingredient in oral contraceptives – drastically reduces the fertility of male rainbow trout.

Doug Myers, wetlands and habitat specialist for Washington State’s Puget Sound Action Team, told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that in frogs, river otters and fish, scientists are “finding the presence of female hormones making the male species less male.”

This summer, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association will begin a major public-awareness campaign regarding contamination that’s resulting from soaps and pharmaceuticals, including birth control.

So, you'd think there would be a mass outcry from enviromentalist to stop this problem? Nope. It just has "too much competion" with other enviromental issues.

Dave Georgis, who directs the Colorado Genetic Engineering Action Network, took to the streets of Boulder on several occasions to hold signs demanding that Boulder County regulate genetically modified crops from existence.

When asked about the genetically modified fish and the contaminated drinking water, however, he said: “It just has so much competition out there for stuff to work on.”

He told the Boulder Weekly that nobody needed to consider curtailing use of artificial contraceptives out of concern for the creek.

“You can’t have a zero impact, and this is one of the many, many impacts we have on the environment in everyday life,” Georgis said. “Nobody is to blame for this, and I don’t have a solution.”

um, I do. I think it is pretty obvious in fact...

How can this be a minor enviromental issue especially if purification systems can't remove it? Not only are the fish in danger, Mr. Georgis is as well. But, maybe he likes being "less male."

Catholics shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for environmentalists to advocate a boycott of contraceptives, said George Harden, a board member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists, based in Steubenville, Ohio.

“If you’re killing mosquitoes to save people from the West Nile virus, you can count on secular environmentalists to lay down in front of the vapor truck, claiming some potential side effect that might result from the spray,” Harden said. “But if birth control deforms fish – backed by the proof of an EPA study – and threatens the drinking supply, mum will be the word.”

Harden said the growing knowledge of estrogen-polluted water may expose the cultural double-standards that protect birth control from the scrutiny given to other chemicals and drugs.

“It’s going to start looking funny,” Harden said. “The radical environmentalist won’t eat a corn chip if the corn contacted a pesticide. But they view it a sacred right and obligation to consume synthetic chemicals that alter a woman’s natural biological functions, even if this practice threatens innocent aquatic life downstream.

So, won't ANYONE do anything about this?

Despite growing and nationwide knowledge of birth-control pollution in rivers and streams, leading environmentalists remain unfazed – even in Boulder, where it’s been known about for years.

Curt Cunningham, water-quality-issues chairman for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Sierra Club International, worked tirelessly last year on a ballot measure that would force the City of Boulder to remove fluoride from drinking water, because some believe it has negative effects on health and the environment that outweigh its benefits. But Cunningham said he would never consider asking women to curtail use of birth-control pills and patches – despite what effect these synthetics have on rivers, streams and drinking water.

Sounds as if someone has been drinking a lot of that water...(dude, be a man)

Norris said hormones have been detected in municipal water supplies, but he said the jury’s out on the long-term effects the chemicals might have on humans and human sexuality.

Research by New Jersey health officials and Rutgers University scientists found traces of birth-control hormones and other prescription drugs and preservatives in municipal tap water throughout the state in 2003, and they don’t know the effects long-term exposure may have.

Frankly, I don't want to find out. I think the fish are telling us what the long term effects will be.

In the end, to fix this problem people would have to change their lives and practice a little self control. They might have to work with nature on this one. Gosh! isn't that what the enviromentalist is always encouraging us to do anyways?

Can anyone say, contraceptive culture...

Nation's First Diocese Receives Its Fifteenth Bishop

2007-07-12T16:44:00.000-05:00

CNA reports:This morning, the Vatican announced Pope Benedict XVI’s appointment of Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien as the Archbishop of Baltimore and the acceptance of Cardinal William Keeler’s resignation.

Archbishop O’Brien was previously the head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services which has 1.5 million Catholics, two auxiliary bishops and 300 priests in uniform.

At a press conference in Baltimore this morning, he was asked what he saw as the reason for his selection as the new head of the Archdiocese. He responded, “I’ll give you the Pope’s number (laughter)… They talk about seminary experience? I don’t know.”

Prior to his ordination as bishop, Archbishop O’Brien served as Rector at two seminaries, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, NY and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

On a more serious note, Archbishop O’Brien noted that he looks forward to working with the two seminaries in the archdiocese and that he sees Pastor Dabo Vobis, a post-synodal exhortation from the late Pope John Paul II on priests, as his model.

Asked about the benefits of coming to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, O’Brien responded, “The historic nature of the archdiocese is a great benefit.”

The Archbishop sees his greatest challenges in leading his new flock as, “making known the benefits of our Catholic schools, recruiting young men for the priesthood, and serving the poor.”

Archbishop O’Brien succeeds Cardinal William H. Keeler, who has served as Baltimore’s 14th archbishop since 1989. The replacement of Cardinal Keeler is more than likely due to health reasons, since he underwent brain surgery in June for a non-life threatening condition and appeared visibly weakened at today’s press conference.

When questioned about his priestly background, O’Brien said, “I’m the only priest in family… I would say that it [the inspiration to become a priest] was the example of the Catholic community around me.

Archbishop O’Brien was ordained a priest in 1965 by Francis Cardinal Spellman and a bishop by Pope John Paul II in 1996, serving as Archbishop for the Military Services since 1997. During his priesthood, Archbishop O’Brien has served as chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and in Vietnam.

Missouri Bans Planned Parenthood in Favor of Abstinence Only Sex Education

2007-07-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

The war on terror (the culture of death, that is) just took a positive turn:

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed a bill into law this week that reclassifies abortion clinics as "ambulatory surgical centers" and places them under stricter regulations and the scrutiny of state officials.

The law, promoted by Missouri Right to Life, permits abstinence-only sex-ed classes and makes it illegal for Planned Parenthood or other pro-abortion groups to teach school sex education classes. Currently Planned Parenthood teaches in up to 40 St. Louis-area schools, reported LifeSiteNews.com.

The new law is "one of the strongest pieces of pro-life legislation in Missouri history," said Blunt at the July 9 signing ceremony.

Planned Parenthood of Missouri complained that the new law will require them to spend up to $2 million to refit their abortion centers to meet the new standards.

Paula Gianino, president of Planned Parenthood for the St. Louis Region, said the new law could leave only one abortion facility in the state.

"I say if they can't meet the same basic requirements that other (medical) providers do, then they should shut down," Blunt stated.

Gianino told St. Louis Today that the group is considering legal action to stop the law from taking effect.

Isn't this just great news? I gotta say the Planned Parenthood officials are so sympathetic with their new problems. As if they don't have the cash to "update" the murder factories. And if they can only leave one abortion clinic open in the whole state..whoohoo, praise God. I don't know much about about Blunt, but he seems like a pretty level-headed guy, "if they can't meet the same basic requirements that other (medical) providers do, then they should shut down," seems pretty logical to me.

But apart from them having to close down the abortion clinics, the great news here is that they are not going to be able to teach hundreds, if not thousands, of children the lies of contraception and abortion as they are losing their murderous grip on up to 40 St. Louis schools alone. Praise God, again!

CDF Issues Clarifying Document of the Theology on the Church

2007-07-10T15:57:00.000-05:00

Today the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document meant to continue clarifying a phrase from the Second Vatican Council which stated that the fullness of the faith "subsisted in the Catholic Church." You can imagine that this phrase draws some "dialogue" from those who are taken up in the relativist view that all churches are the same.

The document does not present any new teaching but simply restates what the Church has always taught about itself. In the Catholic faith resides the church as it was intended by Christ.

Mainly the five questions break down into two subcategories what does the Council mean by "subsist in" and what does the council mean by "church"?

In summary, one could understand it in this way, there are truths and means of sanctification found outside of the structure of the Catholic Church but ultimately those belong to the Church. In addition, the fullness of these ways and means can all be found within the Church. As to the word "Church" itself, only those communions which have sacraments and apostolic succession can be called churches because they contain constitutive elements of a "church." They contain priesthood and eucharist. This means that only the Catholic Church and those churches in the East can claim to be churches. Associations and communions formed out of the Reformation, because they do not have apostolic succession, can be called Christian in as far as they hold the doctrines of the Incarnation and the Trinity, yet because they are not in the succession of the Apostles they cannot be called Churches.

The Congregation was quick to point out that this is not a pull back from attempts at ecumenism, nor is it a change in her policy toward other faiths, only, to be authentic in our work toward eventual communion we must be clear about our identity as the Church founded by Christ.

This is a well documented and developing story, especially as the media gets a hold of this and starts twisting it. My good friend Thomas over at American Papist has done a great job covering the story and so I'll direct you to him here.

You can find the document here

and an unofficial english translation of the accompanying commentary here (scroll down a bit)

Simply Hilarious...

2007-07-09T17:16:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of discovering the very funny blog: Alive and Young today and just had to pass along some of the brillance. Expect links in the future...

More Motu...

2007-07-09T16:32:00.000-05:00

There are some quality sources for commentary on the Motu around the internet right now, so I thought I'd provide some links:

Radio clip from the show Kresta in the Afternoon of an interview with Fr. Joseph Fessio of Ignatius Press fame. (If it is not up yet, check back soon, it aired this afternoon.)

A special on EWTN tonight at 9 pm Eastern you can watch it on the internet live and a taped version on July 13th here.

EWTN also offers an index page with links to the documents and other documents referred to by Pope Benedict

A very quality post by Fr. Micheal Fox from an Ohio parish about what this does and does not mean on the local level.

Vermont Bishop Matano's willingness to get Motu Mania going...

Nice Explanation Over at CWN

All I can say is educate yourself about what the Motu Proprio does and does not say. There are plenty of rumors and distortions flying around out there and I would hate for anyone to get caught up in them. Be responsible. Find out the truth, which basically means don't go to NBC (or CBS, ABC, CNN, youget the point) for your news.

Motu Mania Rages On...

2007-07-08T15:08:00.000-05:00

Well, the blogosphere is a buzzin' as folks digest the Holy Father's initiative and begin the inevitable debates about what Summorum does and does not say.

Immediately questions started to pop up as to how this will all play out and the secular media was quick to throw their hand into it as well. The AP and other secular sources from around the world have tried to power play this into a story of Catholic-Jewish relations because of one prayer in the John XXIII Missal which is prayed one time a year on Good Friday.

I have compared the text in question to the present-day prayer for the Jews in the Good Friday Liturgy and, while the John XXIII is a bit more blunt in its language about the Jews (phrases such as: "take the veil from their hearts," "hear the prayers which we offer for the blindness of that people," and a prayer that they be "delivered from their darkness."), the John Paul II Missal prays for their conversion as well, albeit with a bit gentler language (prayers that they "may continue to grow in the love for his name and in faithfulness to his covenant," and "may arrive at the fullness of redemption").

But beyond the expected twisting and distorting we always expect from the secular media, I have been saddened to see the ways in which Catholics themselves have reacted, making this "event" have the opposite effect the Pope had hoped for. The Holy Father stated in his cover letter to the bishops that "There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal. In the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture." The way some individuals are reacting is embarrassing to say the least and I direct this at both "sides" of the issue.

For example, I read in a Reuters article this snippet:

"I can't fight back the tears. This is the saddest moment in my life as a man, priest and bishop," Luca Brandolini, a member of the liturgy commission of the Italian bishops' conference, told Rome daily La Repubblica in an interview on Sunday.

"It's a day of mourning, not just for me but for the many people who worked for the Second Vatican Council. A reform for which many people worked, with great sacrifice and only inspired by the desire to renew the Church, has now been cancelled."

Good gosh, man, get a hold of yourself. "It is a day of mourning"? Vatican II "has now been cancelled"? Jeez, Bishop, the world is not ending. One of the very reasons the Holy Father is doing this is to continue the reform of VII, not blow forty years of work out of the water. Proof:

in many places celebrations were not faithful to the prescriptions of the new Missal, but the latter actually was understood as authorizing or even requiring creativity, which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear. I am speaking from experience, since I too lived through that period with all its hopes and its confusion. And I have seen how arbitrary deformations of the liturgy caused deep pain to individuals totally rooted in the faith of the Church.

and

The celebration of the Mass according to the Missal of Paul VI will be able to demonstrate, more powerfully than has been the case hitherto, the sacrality which attracts many people to the former usage. The most sure guarantee that the Missal of Paul VI can unite parish communities and be loved by them consists in its being celebrated with great reverence in harmony with the liturgical directives. This will bring out the spiritual richness and the theological depth of this Missal.

I think it is very important that we use this letter to aid in the implementation of the mandate as well as interpret it. It is of utmost importance to approach this document with the mind of the Holy Father and not see this as throwing away VII but only a living out of the organic development that is part of this Church's history.

However, this is not the only place I have heard/read what, in my opinion, seems to be a poor attitude regarding the "Motu." Those who are welcoming the declaration joyfully are betraying, I think, inner attitudes that need to be purified as well. Now, I'm not referring to those who are simply celebrating (see this blog post), but rather those who use language like, "We've won!" or "Thank God he didn't leave it up to the bishops!" or "Finally, we can have a holy mass again." I have also heard, in many places, talk of people wanting to set up new parishes exclusively for "traditional mass communities" based on article 10 of the Motu. This article is not intended for division but as a special circumstance. Both should exist as one parish family. The Pope's aim here is unity: "the two Forms of the usage of the Roman Rite can be mutually enriching." Again, the cover letter is helpful here.

These attitudes do not help to bring about the intent of the Motu Proprio: unity. Instead they help to further break the unity that Pope Benedict is trying create. To these attitudes the Pope says this

Needless to say, in order to experience full communion, the priests of the communities adhering to the former usage cannot, as a matter of principle, exclude celebrating according to the new books. The total exclusion of the new rite would not in fact be consistent with the recognition of its value and holiness.

To view the missal of John Paul II as somehow "less" than the missal of John XXIII is to degrade the Mass and not afford it it's beauty, glory, and power. Will the older missal enrich the newer, I think so, but that in no way makes it a "better" missal. It points to the fact that the church grows out of her past into a more glorious future. The newer missal relied on much of the early church's method of worship, hopefully now it can rely on how the church prayed after the Protestant Reformation, a time of saints and heroes in the Church's history.

Beyond all this, I do think some interesting questions are beginning to pop up. These questions mainly revolve around how these two will influence each other because they most certainly will. Will the extraordinary expression allow communion under both species? Will the ordinary expression move the Asperges before the mass? How will the extraordinary adapt to churches with a more "alternative" construction. eg. an altar in the middle of the church? Will the practical use of the ordinary use more Latin?

It is certainly a most historical time for our Church and I pray that people can receive this with proper attitudes. This is a time of joy because the church is worshiping God. It is not a time for wallowing in defeat or celebrating with a victory dance.

Summorum Pontificum

2007-07-07T10:54:00.000-05:00

Well, its here. I will finally blog about what has become known as "The Motu Proprio." Unlike my fellow bloggers out there, I refused to write anything before now about it because like my fellow bloggers, I had no clue what was going to be in it. That has all changed now. I will not say that I haven't anticipated the document's release since it first was rumored to exist but I simply did not let myself get swept away by something that I knew absolutely nothing about. But enough about me...

The Pope released the document today at noon Rome-time and included with it a cover letter explaining why he chose to take such action. The cover letter basically provides answers that many expected but in many ways I think the letter is just as important if not more so than the actual document itself. The Pope reflects on the past rendings in the church and wonders if they could have been prevented by church leaders. In reflecting on this he states that he wishes to open up doors for unity with the schismatic Pius X Society. However, he doesn't just swing open the doors. He specifically states that priests cannot exclusively say the mass expressed in the missal of John XXIII and that it cannot be said during the sacred triduum. (Which I'm happy about because I prefer the current rites, if they are celebrated fully and completely.) He also states that it cannot be celebrated more than once on a Sunday or feast.

He also looks at the benefits the old expression can offer the new. He reflects at the history since the renewal of the liturgy and sees how many saw the renewal as "authorizing or even requiring creativity, which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear." He further reflects on the experience:

I am speaking from experience, since I too lived through that period with all its hopes and its confusion. And I have seen how arbitrary deformations of the liturgy caused deep pain to individuals totally rooted in the faith of the Church.

The hope, then, is that the "extraordinary" expression of the one Latin Rite will influence the use of the "ordinary" so that "the celebration of the Mass according to the Missal of Paul VI will be able to demonstrate, more powerfully than has been the case hitherto, the sacrality which attracts many people to the former usage." This is not saying that the missal of Paul VI lacks "sacrality," only, that the way it has been prayed has not been what the Council had hoped for.

One thing, which was surprising for me, is that he not only opened up the "old" Mass, he also opened up the older expressions of the other sacraments, "for the good of souls." He did make some qualifications however and said that it was the ordinary of the diocese who could celebrate the previous rite of Confirmation and among the sacraments he did not mention Holy Orders as one that could be celebrated according to the old rite.

The Pope did remind Bishops that they are the governors of the Mass in their diocese and so they are to see to it that only those who can celebrate the Mass "worthily," having proper understanding of the language and rubrics, should do so. He also asked the Bishops to send in a report in three years about the experiences with this new approach so that any "kinks in the chain" may be worked out. (my expression, not the Pope's)

Some interesting notes: The Pope wrote the document in the tone of the Papal "we" which isn't inappropriate but certainly not used as much any more. In addition, the date included in the document is actually today's date 7-7-7, which is very unusual as documents normally bear signing dates weeks and sometimes even months in advance.

This is certainly a fascinating time, especially for those of us preparing for Holy Orders, and it will be interesting to see where the Holy Spirit takes this. I wouldn't expect mass celebrations of this expression of the Latin rite simply because no one knows how to say it. But, as time goes on I think the momentum will grow until it is not strange to see a John XXIII Mass celebrated on Sunday morning in your parish. Only time will tell.

Letter to the Bishops Here

Summorum Pontificum (the motu proprio) in an unoffical translation because the only official version at this time is, ironically enough, in Latin.

Catholic Bishops Consider Political Involvement for 2008

2007-06-24T17:19:00.000-05:00

CNA:

The U.S. bishops are currently considering how prominent their voices will be in the 2008 presidential race.

Of late, there have been some high profile encounters between bishops and the different presidential candidates. This has not been isolated to the United States either. In Australia, as previously reported by CNA, Cardinal George Pell and Archbishop Barry Hickey of Perth have become engaged in a debate over cloning and the creation of human-animal embryos.

Archbishop Charles Chaput recently granted an interview to The Associated Press where he said that the bishops’ involvement depends on which candidates and issues emerge, but said he thinks the time for behind-the-scenes diplomacy with politicians is over.

"I personally think that anybody that is pro-choice as a Catholic is not being faithful to his Catholic identity, and I think that people who are Catholics, when they look at those issues, should take that into consideration when they vote," the archbishop of Denver told the AP.

In the 2004 presidential race, the debate emerged about whether to deny Communion to politicians who support abortion rights. Archbishop Chaput helped craft a statement that year, which left the question of whether to deny Communion up to each bishop.

The archbishop said in the interview that he grew in assertiveness on this point partly out of frustration from his personal meetings with politicians, who often would just "look at you vacantly." He does not believe a more assertive stance violates the laws governing nonprofit involvement in politics.

But the archbishop added that the most effective approach is educating Catholic voters, who in turn could influence politicians. He added that he does not like either political party because neither encapsulates the range of Catholic teaching.

Archbishop John Myers of Newark told the AP that "the principle involved is to try to figure out which of the candidates comes closest to the full gamut of Catholic teaching, in particular when you talk about the life issues."

Alzheimer's Vaccine?

2007-06-24T16:51:00.000-05:00

From the Brittish news source, Daily Mail:

A revolutionary drug that stops Alzheimer's disease in its tracks could be available within a few years.

It could prevent people from reaching the devastating final stages of the illness, in which sufferers lose the ability to walk, talk and even swallow, and end up totally dependent on others.

The jab, which is now being tested on patients, could be in widespread use in as little as six years.

The most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer's affects around 500,000 Britons, with about 500 new cases diagnosed every day as people live longer.

Treatment costs the NHS up to £14billion a year - more than it spends on strokes, heart disease and cancer combined.

Existing drugs can delay the progress of the symptoms, but their effect wears off relatively quickly, allowing the disease to take its devastating course. In contrast, the new vaccine may be able to hold the disease at bay indefinitely.

Professor Clive Ballard, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "A successful vaccine would be a groundbreaking treatment advance for the 25million people with Alzheimer's disease worldwide."

Vaccines are typically used to provide immunity to a disease as a preventive measure before it can develop, but this is an example of a therapeutic vaccine, used to treat a disease which has already developed.

Known as CAD106, it is the brainchild of scientists at Zurich-based biotechnology firm Cytos, which is also developing anti-smoking, obesity and flu vaccines.

Cytos chief executive Dr Wolfgang Renner said: "If it could prevent the progression of Alzheimer's, it would be fantastic."

Early tests showed the vaccine is highly effective at breaking up the sticky protein that clogs the brain in Alzheimer's, destroying vital connections between brain cells.

When the jab was given to mice suffering from a disease similar to Alzheimer's, 80 per cent of the patches of amyloid protein were broken up.

The vaccine is now being tried out on 60 elderly Swedish patients in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer's. Half of the men and women are being given the vaccine while half are being given dummy jabs.

Although the year-long trial is designed to show that the treatment is safe, the researchers will also look at its effect on the patients' symptoms.

While the results are not due until early next year, the initial findings are promising. Dr Renner told a Zurich conference earlier this week: "I am glad to report that the vaccine is very well tolerated."

If the trial is successful, larger-scale trials will follow, in which researchers will work out the best dose to give and how often it should be given. The finished product is six to eight years from the market.

The vaccine uses a tiny section of the amyloid protein attached to an empty virus shell to trick the immune system into attacking and breaking up deposits of protein clogging the brain.

Scientists at Cytos, who have sold the rights to the vaccine to Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, say the vaccine is likely to be given to those in the early stages of Alzheimer's, to stop the disease from progressing.

The development of tests capable of detecting the disease in its earliest stages would allow the jab to be given at the first possible opportunity.

It could also be used to keep the disease at bay in those with a strong family history of the illness, and even for the mass vaccination of people in late middle age.

However, while the jab may stop the disease in its tracks, it is not expected to repair dead tissue, and so will not be a cure. Nevertheless, preventing the disease's progression would have an enormous impact on sufferers' lives.

British Alzheimer's experts welcomed the research.

Professor Ballard of the Alzheimer's Society said a previous development, the Elan jab, which failed due to severe side-effects, "was seen as the most exciting treatment development ever investigated for the treatment of dementia".

He added: "This new vaccine is potentially promising as scientists hope they have found a way to limit adverse reactions."

Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said the vaccine is still many years away from the pharmacy shelf.

But she added: "This is very exciting research and brings us a step closer to finding an answer to this terrible disease.

"With 700,000 people with dementia in the UK - a number forecast to double within a generation - we urgently need to find ways to halt this devastating disease."

Experts forecast that the ageing population will result in a "global epidemic" of Alzheimer's, with one in 85 people being sufferers by 2050.

Judge Blocks Parent's Choice of Name For Their Baby

2007-06-24T15:37:00.000-05:00

A New Zealand Judge is not allowing a couple to name their son what they want to name him. However, before you start thinking that this judge has overstepped his bounds, pause and think for a second about the name they have provided: 4real. Thats right, 4real numeral and all.

ABC News reports:

Initially, the reaction is, 'Are you for real?'" said Pat Wheaton, the New Zealand father who was blocked from naming his son 4Real.

Wheaton said the idea for the name came when the couple saw the first scan of the child.

"We started thinking 'Jeez, he is for real?'" Wheaton said.

The couple's idea came naturally, but many parents are feeling the pressure to be different.

Baby naming is big business today. Some parents are turning to professional consultants, computer programs, polls and even numerologists to achieve the perfect moniker for their bundle of joy.

"Parents think that if they give their child a unique and special name, the child will become unique and special," said Bruce Lansky, author of "100,000 Baby Names."

Nevaeh, which heaven spelled backwards, has become one of the world's most popular names. But others don't always pass the societal test.

Two boys, one in Michigan and the other in Texas, bear the name ESPN. They were named after the sports network.

In some countries, names are illegal -- like Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden in Germany.

And French parents must choose from an approved list. The laws are designed to prevent teasing.

In America, almost anything goes.

"You can't use a four letter word that I wouldn't use in this interview anyway, and other than that you're free to do what you want," said New York University Sociology Department Chairman Dalton Conley. "That's part of the first amendment right to free speech here in America."

Only as the children grow up will people learn if these interesting names will be the source of ridicule.

As much as I agree with the judge's sentiments, I believe it is a parent's perogative to choose a name for their child. So, I guess I agree with the Judges philosophy (a.k.a. "you just can't name a person that, come on") I think it is important to honor the parent, however immature they may be. It's their kid...

Since Pushing Those Little Buttons On The Remote Control Is So Hard...

2007-06-22T12:18:00.002-05:00

...a company in Japan is developing technology to change the channels with your mind. That's right, I said mind.

FoxNews.com posted a story today about a couple Japanese companies who are developing technologies to controll electronics with simply thinking:

The "brain-machine interface" developed by Hitachi Inc. analyzes slight changes in the brain's blood flow and translates brain motion into electric signals.

A cap connects by optical fibers to a mapping device, which links, in turn, to a toy train set via a control computer and motor during one recent demonstration at Hitachi's Advanced Research Laboratory in Hatoyama, just outside Tokyo.

"Take a deep breath and relax," said Kei Utsugi, a researcher, while demonstrating the device on Wednesday.

At his prompting, a reporter did simple calculations in her head, and the train sprang forward — apparently indicating activity in the brain's frontal cortex , which handles problem solving.

Activating that region of the brain — by doing sums or singing a song — is what makes the train run, according to Utsugi. When one stops the calculations, the train stops, too.

Underlying Hitachi's brain-machine interface is a technology called optical topography , which sends a small amount of infrared light through the brain's surface to map out changes in blood flow.

Although brain-machine interface technology has traditionally focused on medical uses, makers like Hitachi and Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. (HMC) have been racing to refine the technology for commercial application.

Hitachi's scientists are set to develop a brain TV remote controller letting users turn a TV on and off or switch channels by only thinking.

Honda, whose interface monitors the brain with an MRI machine like those used in hospitals, is keen to apply the interface to intelligent, next-generation automobiles.

The technology could one day replace remote controls and keyboards and perhaps help disabled people operate electric wheelchairs, beds or artificial limbs.

Initial uses would be helping people with paralyzing diseases communicate even after they have lost all control of their muscles.

Since 2005, Hitachi has sold a device based on optical topography that monitors brain activity in paralyzed patients so they can answer simple questions — for example, by doing mental calculations to indicate "yes" or thinking of nothing in particular to indicate "no."

"We are thinking of various kinds of applications," project leader Hideaki Koizumi said. "Locked-in patients can speak to other people by using this kind of brain machine interface."

A key advantage to Hitachi's technology is that sensors don't have to physically enter the brain. Earlier technologies developed by U.S. companies like Neural Signals Inc. required implanting a chip under the skull.

Still, major stumbling blocks remain.

Size is one issue, though Hitachi has developed a prototype compact headband and mapping machine that together weigh only about two pounds.

Another would be to tweak the interface to more accurately pick up on the correct signals while ignoring background brain activity.

Any brain-machine interface device for widespread use would be "a little further down the road," Koizumi said.

He added, however, that the technology is entertaining in itself and could easily be applied to toys.

"It's really fun to move a model train just by thinking," he said.

Well, I can't disagree with that, it would be cool, on a certain level and just think of the freedom this could provide people who are physically unable to communicate but cognatively perfectly able to, the possibilities for this are positive. Let's just hope it doesn't give us a reason to be more lazy...

[photo credit]

Exciting News

2007-06-21T12:24:00.001-05:00

Vatican City, Jun 21, 2007 / 09:57 am (CNA).- The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff today announced that at 5.30 p.m. on June 28, eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration of first Vespers in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls.

During the ceremony, the Pope will proclaim a year especially dedicated to St. Paul, to mark the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the "Apostle of the Gentiles."

According to the Vatican Radio Calendar, the year will run from June 29, 2008, to June 29, 2009. No other details were available about possible events during the year at the time of publication.

Pope Meets With Chrysosotomos II

2007-06-20T07:58:00.001-05:00

Zenit.com:

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI met with representatives from the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, a meeting that may pave the way for an encounter between the Pope and Russian Patriarch Alexy II.

In the Vatican on Saturday, Benedict XVI met with Chrysostomos II, archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, and other representatives of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus.

After this meeting with the Holy Father, Archbishop Chrysostomos II will discuss with Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia the possibility of future collaboration between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, and perhaps a meeting with the Pope.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper L'Expresso, the Orthodox archbishop explained that he and Alexy II are good friends, and that he is doing all he can to foster the meeting.

Joint declaration

Benedict XVI and Archbishop Chrysostomos II also signed a joint agreement promoting collaboration, especially on questions of bioethics.

The document explained: "At a time of growing secularization and relativism, Catholics and Orthodox in Europe are called to offer renewed witness on ethical values, ready to give an explanation of their faith in Jesus Christ, lord and savior.

"There is the risk that certain techniques applied to genetics, conceived intentionally to meet legitimate needs, in fact take away man's dignity, created in the image of God."

The document denounces "tragic daily problems" caused by more than 30 years of the separation of Cyprus caused by Turkish occupation, which began in the summer of 1974, and calls for peace in the Middle East.

Dialogue of truth

In a conversation with journalists, the archbishop said that great strides in reconciliation between Catholics and Orthodox could be made with Benedict XVI, because he is a "wise" theologian who knows Orthodox theology in depth.

"We are convinced that he wants the unity of the Churches. And if one knows the problems in detail, as in his case, it is easier to find solutions," Archbishop Chrysostomos II explained.

The Orthodox archbishop noted that 1,000 years of separation cannot be overcome in a day. But, in the last 40 years, he said, "we have begun a dialogue of charity, and now we move on to theological dialogue, which is that of truth."

"It is not easy to resolve problems. We need time," he said. "But dialogue is an important step forward and now we can move on to respond to Jesus' commandment for unity. Each time we meet, we make one more step forward."

The archbishop stated that during their meeting, the Pope confirmed his desire to visit Cyprus, though no date was set.

Archbishop Chrysostomos II concluded, "For us, it will be a great blessing."

Cardinal Keeler Recovers From Brain Surgery

2007-06-19T12:04:00.000-05:00

This just in from CNA:

Baltimore, Jun 19, 2007 / 10:24 am (CNA).- Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore underwent brain surgery yesterday to drain excess fluid from his brain, the Baltimore Sun reported. He is said to be in good condition following the 90 minute surgery that occurred without complications.

"The cardinal is awake, a little groggy but in good form," said Bishop W. Francis Malooly at a news conference on Monday.

Keeler needed the surgery, the bishop said, because of an abnormal build up of cerebrospinal fluid on his brain. The excess fluid is thought to have been caused by head trauma that the cardinal suffered in an October car accident while he was vacationing in Terni, Italy. Also traveling with the Cardinal was his good friend, Father Bernard Quinn, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who was killed in the accident.

During the accident, Cardinal Keeler also suffered a broken ankle but has since recovered from the break through physical therapy. According to Bishop Malooly, Keeler was still having trouble walking. This led doctors to notice the build up of fluid and decide to perform surgery.

The operation involved the placement of a shunt, or tube, into the cardinal’s skull that will drain the excess fluid from his brain and into the abdominal cavity, where
the body can safely absorb it.

Keeler's physicians will check in about three weeks to make sure an appropriate amount of fluid is being released through the shunt.

Dr. Michael A. Williams, neurology director for the adult hydrocephalus program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, said that if too much fluid is released through the shunt, the brain itself might get smaller, creating space between it and the inside of the skull. Consequently, doctors may be adjusting the flow of the fluid through the shunt.

Keeler is still hoping to attend the ordinations of four new priests for the Archdiocese Of Baltimore on Saturday, if his condition permits, though Bishop Malooly will perform the ordinations. "He does bounce back quickly, though - that's his track record," Malooly said.

At 76, Keeler is the average age for diagnosis for normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to medical experts. The cardinal has served as the Archbishop of Baltimore since 1989 and was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1994.

When Keeler turned 75 last year, he submitted a letter of resignation to the Vatican as required by canon law. But Pope Benedict XVI has not accepted Keeler's retirement or indicated when a replacement might be named.

Let us all pray for the Cardinal's health...

Pope Benedict in Assisi for 800th Anniversary of the Conversion of St. Francis

2007-06-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

Pope Benedict was in Assisi this past weekend to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the conversion of St. Francis. Among so many other things he did while he was there, he spoke to a crowd of about 25,000 young people. Here is the unofficial, AsiaNews.it translation:

My dear young people,

Thank you for your warm welcome! Thank you for your kind words and for the interesting questions which your two representatives have put to me. I greet all of you young people from this diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, together with your Bishop, Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino. I greet you, young people of Umbria gathered here today with your pastors. I greet you, young people from other Italian regions, accompanied by your Franciscan guides. I also warmly greet Cardinal Attilio Nicora, my Legate to Assisi’s’ papal Basilicas, and to the General Ministers of the various Franciscan Orders.

We are welcomed here, together with Francis, by the heart of the Mother, the “Virgin made Church”, as he loved to invoke her (Prayer Praising Mary the Mother of God, 1: FF 259). Francis had a special affection for the small chapel of the Porziuncola, custodied by this Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. It was one of the Churches in which he sought shelter during the firs years of his conversion and where he listened to and meditated on the Gospel of his mission (1 Cel I,9,22: FF 356). Following the first steps taken in Rivotorto, it was here that he based the first “general quarters” of the Order, where his friars could gather, almost as if in the maternal womb, to regenerate themselves and go for the full of apostolic zeal. Here he obtained for all a fountain of mercy in the experience of the “Assisi Pardon”. Finally it was here, that he met with “sister death”. My dear young people, you all know that my motive for being here was my desire to relive the interior journey of Francis, on the occasion of the VIII centenary of his conversion. This moment of my pilgrimage has a significant importance. I think of it almost, as the culmination of the day’s events. Saint Francis speaks to all men and women, but I know that he has a special attraction for young people. Your presence here in great numbers confirms this as do the questions you have put before me. His conversion took place at the prime of his life, of his experiences, of his dreams. He had spent twenty five years without ever having come to understand the meaning of life. A few months before his death, he will remember that period as a time when he was “in sin” (cfr. 2 Test 1: FF 110).

“Aimless wandering”, ambition and truth

What was Francis thinking of when he spoke of sins? According to biographies, each with its own line, it is not easy to determine. A useful account of his way of life is found in the Legend of the Three Companions, where it reads: “Francis was expansive and highly strung, addicted to gaming and song, he wandered aimlessly throughout the city of Assisi by day and by night with friends of his cast, so generous in his spending on luncheons and other delights all that he could have or earn” (3 Comp 1,2: FF 1396). How many young people of today could be described in a similar way? Now there is also the possibility to go beyond our own cities in search of enjoyment. Each weekend recreational events gather the youth in great numbers. Now we can also “wander” virtually “surfing” the net, in search of all kinds of information and contacts. Unfortunately there is no small number – actually there are far too many! - young men and women who search for fatuous and destructive surroundings in the artificial paradise of drugs. How can we deny that there are many young people, and some not so young, who are tempted to follow the lifestyle of the youthful Francis, before his conversion? Deep down, in that way of life there was the desire for happiness which inhabits each heart. But could that life give true joy? Francis certainly did not find it to be so. You, my dear young people can test this from your own experience. The truth is that finite things give the weak impression of joy; only the Infinite can fill the heart. This was said by another great convert Saint Augustine: "for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee" (Confess. 1,1).

The same biographical text tells us that Francis was quite vain. He liked to have sumptuous clothes tailored for him and sought to be original. (Comp 1, 2: FF 1396). In vanity, in the search for originality, there is something which touches us all directly. Today there is much talk about “taking care of one’s image” or “keeping up with appearances”. In order to have the slightest chance of success, we have to strike others with something new, original. In a certain way, this may be expressed in an innocent desire for acceptance. But all too often it is penetrated by a subtle pride, an excessive search for ourselves, egoism and the desire to outdo others. In real terms, a life which revolves around oneself is a death trap: we can only be ourselves if we open up to love, by loving God and others.

Another aspect which left a marked impression on Francis’ contemporaries was his ambition, his thirst for glory and adventure. This was what drew him onto the battle field, and led to him becoming a prisoner for a year in Perugia. This same thirst for glory also brought him to Puglia, in a new military campaign, but it was at this point, in Spoleto, that the Lord made himself known to Francis’ heart, inducing him to retrace his steps and listen seriously to his Word. It’s interesting to note how the Lord took up this trait in Francis, his desire to succeed, to indicate the road to saintly success, stretching out into infinity: “Who can be of more use: the Lord or the servant?” (3 Comp 2,6: FF 1401), this was the question that he heard echo in his heart. As if to say: why content yourself to be dependent on other men, when there is a God ready to welcome you to his home, to his royal service?

Dear young people, you have reminded me of some of the pressing issues for youth today, of your difficulties in building a future for yourselves and above all of your strained efforts to discover the truth. In the account of Christ’s passion we find Pilates question: “What is the truth?” (Jn 18,38). It is a question which resounds widely throughout modern day culture. The Gospel indicates Christ as the truth: God’s truth and man’s truth. We risk spending our entire lives deafened by the chaos of empty voices, we risk losing his voice among the din, the only voice which counts because it is the only voice which saves. We content ourselves with fragments of the truth, we allow ourselves to be seduced by truths that are only such in appearance. Is it really a wonder, then, that we find ourselves surrounded by a world of contradictions, which, despite the many marvellous things, so often deludes us with its banal expressions, its injustices, and its violence? Without God, the world looses its basis and its direction. Do not be afraid my dear friends, to imitate Francis above all in the ability to turn to yourselves. He knew how to make room for silence within himself, to listen to God’s Word. Step by step he allowed himself to be taken by the hand and guided by God towards a full encounter with Christ, to the point of making it the precious treasure and light of his life.

Jesus, the Church, priesthood

His choosing to be with the suffering, placing himself at their service, was also and encounter with Christ. This morning, passing by the Rivotorto, I paused to gaze at the place in which, traditionally, the lepers were gathered: the last, the marginalized, those for whom Francis felt only repulsion. Touched by grace he opened his heart to them. And he did so not only by a pitiful act of charity, but by kissing them and serving them. He himself tells that while before they had provoked only bitterness in him, they became for him “sweetness of body and soul” (2 Test 3: FF 110).

Grace was thus formed in Francis. He became ever more capable of fixing his gaze on Christ’s face and hearing his voice. It was at that point that the Crucifix of Saint Damian spoke to him calling g him to an arduous mission: “Go, Francis and rebuild my Church, for it lies in ruins ". (2 Cel I, 6, 10: FF 593). Pausing this morning in Saint Damien’s, and then in the basilica of St. Clare, where the original cross which spoke to Francis is conserved, I too fixed my gaze on those of Christ. It is the image of the Risen Christ, life of the Church, which continues to speak to us, just as two thousand years ago to its apostles and eight hundred years ago to Francis. The Church continues to live this encounter.

Yes, my dear young people: let us meet Christ! Let us trust in Him, listen to His Word. He is not just a fascinating human being. Indeed, He is fully human and similar to us, except in sin ( Eb 4, 15). But He is also so much more: He is God made man. Therefore He is the only Saviour, as he same name tells us: Jesus that is “God saves”. We come to Assisi to learn from Saint Francis the secret to recognising Christ and to experience Him. This is what Francis felt for Jesus, as his first biography narrates: “Jesus always in his heart. Jesus on his lips, Jesus in his ears, Jesus in his eyes, Jesus in his hands, Jesus in all his other members…..Actually, finding himself often on travels, by meditating and singing to Jesus, he forgot that he was travelling and stopped to invites all creatures to praise Jesus (1 Cel II, 9, 115: FF 115).

Francis in short was truly in love with Christ. He met him in the Word of God, in his fellow man, in nature, but above all in the Eucharist. On this he wrote in his testament: "I see nothing corporally in this age of the Most High Son of God Himself, except His Most Holy Body and Most Holy Blood" (2 Test 10: FF 113). The nativity scene in Greccio expresses his need to contemplate him in the tender humanity of a child (1 Cel I, 30, 85-86: FF 469-470). The experience of Verna, where he received the stigmata, shows the degree of intimacy with which he was arrived in his relationship with Christ crucified. He can say together with Paul: “For me living is Christ " (Fil 1,21). If one strips oneself of everything and chooses poverty, the reason for this is Christ, and only Christ. Jesus is his everything: and He suffices him!

Because he is Christ’s, Francis is also a man of the Church, He had received the call from St Damien’s cross to rebuild Christ’s house, which is of course the Church. Between Christ and the Church there is an intimate and imperishable relationship. Being called to rebuild it certainly implies an original and personal nature to Francis mission. At the same time, that duty is no different to the responsibility which Christ attributes to each and every baptised. The Church grows and rebuilds itself according to the measure with which each one of us converts and sanctifies ourselves. It is edified through the many and different vocations, lay and familial, consecrated life and priestly life.

At this point, I would like to say a few words regarding this last vocation. Francis, who was a deacon, not a priest (1 Cel I,30,86: FF 470), nurtured a deep veneration for priests. Although he knew that there was great poverty and fragility in among God’s ministers, he saw them as the ministers of the Body of Christ, and that was sufficient to provoke a sense of love, reverence and obedience in him ( 2 Test 6-10: FF 112-113). His love for priests is an invitation to rediscover the beauty of this vocation. It is vital for God’s people. Dear young people, surround your priests with love and gratitude. If the Lord should call some of you to this great ministry, as to some form of consecrated life, do not hesitate to say yes. It is a wonderful thing to be the Lord’s minister; it is a beautiful thing to spend one’s life for Him!

The young Francis had a filial love for his Bishop, and it was in his hands that he, stripping himself of everything, made his profession of a life totally consecrated to the Lord (cfr 1 Cel I, 6, 15: FF 344). He felt in a special way the mission of Christ’s Vicar, to whom he presented his Rule and entrusted his Order. If the Popes have shown so much affection for Assisi, down through the centuries, in a certain sense it is in recognition of the affection which Francis had for the Pope. I am happy, my dear young people, to be here, in the footsteps of my Predecessors, and in particular John Paul II.

Peace and Joy

Just like concentric circles, Francis’s love for Christ expands not only throughout the Church but in all things, seen in Christ and for Christ. Here his Canticle for Creation was born, in which ones eye rests on the splendour of creation: from brother son to sister moon, from sister water to brother fire. His interior gaze has become so pure and penetrating that it recognises the beauty of the Creator in the beauty of creation. The Canticle of Brother son, is not just an example of the highest quality in poetry, it is first and foremost an invitation to respect creation, a prayer, a lode to the Lord.

The prayer also highlights Francis’s commitment to peace. This aspect of his life is of great relevance today, in a world deeply in need of peace but unable to find the right path. Francis was a man of peace and a worker for peace. He displayed this in the meekness with which he posed himself to men of other faiths, without ever silencing his own faith, as we see in his encounter with the Sultan (cfr 1 Cel I, 20, 57: FF 422). If today, specially in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, inter –religious dialogue has become the common patrimony of Christian sensibility and one that cannot be renounced, then Francis can help us dialogue authentically, without ever giving way to indifferent behaviour regarding truth or in our announcing of the Christian message. His nature as a man of peace, tolerance, dialogue is born of his experience of God-Love. His greeting of peace, not by chance, is a prayer: “God grant you peace” (2 Test 23: FF 121).

My dear youth, your presence here today in great numbers is a sign of how much the figure of Francis speaks to your heart. I willingly give you once again, his message, but above all his life and his testament. The time has come for young people, like Francis, to commit themselves and learn how to enter into a personal relationship with Christ. The time has come for us to look upon the history of this third millennium which has just begun a history that needs more than ever to be lifted by the Good News of the Gospel.

I once again make my own and invitation my Predecessor, John Paul II’s loved to give the young: “Open you hearts to Christ”. Open them as Francis did, without fear, without calculation, without limits. You, my dear young people, are my joy, as you were for John Paul II- At this Basilica dedicated to Saint Mary of the Angels I give you all an appointment at the Holy House of Loreto, at the beginning of September for the great gathering of young Italians.

I bless you all.

NCAA Female Athletes Get Abortions To Retain Scholarships

2007-06-17T12:07:00.000-05:00

I saw this on ESPN.com:

On the road that leads to Clemson, S.C., billboards sponsored by an anti-abortion group dot the highway with the phrase "Pregnant & Scared?" plastered in large letters. They are an ominous backdrop for Clemson University, where at least seven current or recently graduated student-athletes terminated their pregnancies, primarily because they were afraid of losing their athletic scholarships.

"I have a couple teammates that have had abortions due to the fact that they knew they weren't going to get their scholarship back," said a female student-athlete at Clemson, who asked not to be identified. "But like an actual teammate having a child, and coming back and earning a scholarship, that's a situation that hasn't happened."

In the fall of 2006, that same athlete discovered she was pregnant for the second time. She said her first thoughts were for her future.

"How could this happen?" she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "My career was going to end. I'm not going to go to the Olympics or get to finish my four years. I was just like, 'This is a dead-end road. You're not going anywhere else.'"

Searching for answers, she said she turned to a Clemson administrator.

"She was just like, 'You know that's going to be hard? Everything that you got … gone,'" the athlete said, recounting her conversation. "And she was like, 'Just think about your options. You know Coach isn't going to give you back your scholarship just like that. If she finds out and if you decide to keep it, that's gone.'"

The student-athlete said she was asked to sign a team document prior to the 2005 season that stated: "Pregnancy resulting in the inability to compete and positively contribute to the program's success will result in the modification of your grant-in-aid money."

"There was actually a policy about loss of scholarship, loss of privileges due to pregnancy," she said.

Remembering the administrator's counsel and the previous year's team policy, the athlete said the fear of losing her scholarship played a large role in her decision to have a second abortion.

"On a scale from 1 to 10, it was like a 9," she said. "It had a big, big part in my decision, because that's the first thing I thought about, I'm losing my scholarship."

The story goes on to talk about discrimination against female athletes for getting pregnant and while I'm not sure if I'm qualified to decide whether or not this is a case of discrimination, I do see a problem here and the need for a solution.

This is a multifaceted and complicated problem because the girl clearly has not exercised responsibility to her team. I think this is an important point, one not to be over looked. Becoming pregnant makes one unavailable to the team and in effect a non-member for at least a period of time. These girls are receiving this scholarship money so that they can get an education with the understanding that they will maintain certain health conditions to participate on the team. Why should the team provide the scholarship money to a player who cannot perform? This isn't like the case of a player becoming injured in the course of their athletic activity, this girl made a conscious choice to have sex. (Especially a second time!!!)

I have known a few college athletes and they all have been very careful about how they treat their bodies, everything from what they eat, to how they exercise, to excusing themselves from simple games like capture the flag with friends because they could risk injury. This is practicing a healthy responsibility to themselves and their team. Why do these young women think that they are exceptions?

Now, for the other side of the spectrum. These are young women who obviously have made mistakes and need forgiveness and help. They must not be cast out because of a lapse in judgement and a solution must be found to help them carry their pregnancy to term and then care for the child while they finish school. One way this can be done is through some kind of financial aid, either through a separate scholarship for student mothers or another means. I am all for this. However, I do not understand why the athletic department should provide monies to a person who may never contribute to the team again. Alternative options must be provided these women so that abortion is not considered an option for them. We have to find a way to save child and mother.
In addition, these schools should not be afraid to educate these women about premarital sex and promote chastity on campus. I know what you are thinking, "The day that happens, hell will freeze over," but if we claim to have these women's best interest in mind, these are the things that should be promoted.

In closing, I would just like to point out how this is yet again an example of a woman choosing to have an abortion, not because she feels the need for choice but because she feels she has no choice.

City Hall Takes Back Its Decision

2007-06-15T12:36:00.000-05:00

Go ahead and celebrate Rocky, someone over at city hall finally came to their senses.

As reported earlier, the city council members over in Philadelphia decided they would official be considered a "Pro-choice" city, now, it seems, they've backed off that decision. CNA:

Philadelphia, Jun 15, 2007 / 10:09 am (CNA).- The City Council reversed its previous declaration today by a vote of 13-4. The declaration passed last week stated the city’s support for "women's reproductive rights and freedom" and defended "the right to choose a legal and safe abortion as a final but critical option for women."

The original resolution passed by a 9-8 vote, surprising sponsor Blondell Reynolds Brown who had not expected the declaration to be controversial. As previously reported by CNA, the resolution was swiftly condemned by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Other sources reported that complaints flooded into some council members' offices.

The resolution rescinding last week's proclamation was sponsored by Councilman Frank Rizzo, who said the entire episode had been an embarrassment.

"I think that we should stay away from issues like this that cause division in our city," Rizzo said.

Another council member Marian Tasco seemed confused as to how such issues should be handled calling it both a personal and a legal issue. "The issue of pro-choice or pro-life is personal. The issue of choice is something we do not deal with in city council. It's a legal issue dealt with by other forms of city government."

Councilman Tim Kenney also expressed his internal conflict saying that he personally was pro-choice, but had decided upon reflection that it was an inappropriate issue for council to wade into.

In an attempt to make peace Councilwoman Reynolds Brown said, "I've learned, as an enlightened pro-choice advocate, that there may have been other ways to make my position known," said Reynolds Brown.

Switching sides from last week were council members, Jim Kenney, Frank DiCicco, Donna Reed Miller, Daniel Savage and Wilson Goode Jr.

I think this Blondell Reynolds Brown is one clueless individual. I love the line saying she, "had not expected the declaration to be controversial." How utterly blind do you have to be not to see this? I mean, what does this come from? Abortion is one of the most controversial topics in politics. To act like you are surprised that the notion of declaring an entire city pro-choice would insult some people shows how clearly you are not in service of the people. Good Lord, save us from politicians like this.

I'm glad Councilman Rizzo acknowledged that this was an embarrassment. Hopefully the effect the Evil Empire (a.k.a. Planned Parenthood) was hoping to have will have the opposite effect. It's all in His hands...

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

2007-06-14T19:32:00.000-05:00

I was surfing the channels the other day and came across a new show on Fox called "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" I stopped momentarily because it sounded like it could be a fun show but what I saw embarrassed me.

Now before I begin I must say I have some back interest because I was a teacher before entering the seminary so the show had a certain appeal for me personally.

As I watched the show I saw what I expected from the title: an adult trying to answer typical grade-school questions to earn cash prizes. (with the top amount being a million, mind you) At first I chuckled at the people playing the game, trying to remember back to their school days for the answer but then I stopped and thought for a second about what message this show was sending.

Are we really this dumb?

I watched in agony as grown men could not decide whether the east coast or west coast had more states on its coast line, a woman who could not figure out how many feet were in a yard, and a set of twins struggling to remember how many identical sides were in an isosceles triangle (I know kind of ironic isn't it?) Now granted as some got farther up the pay scale I asked myself how many elementary kids could actually answer these questions (like, who was the first president to win the Nobel Peace Prize, it was Teddy Roosevelt, by the way) but to watch grown, educated people struggle over such trivial things made me wonder how good our educational system is.

I'm not claiming to be the resident genius here, I misspell words all the time, but for heaven's sake, this is embarrassing. I hope our allies and enemies aren't watching! I almost wish Fox would pull the show to save America face but maybe it's a good thing they are running it. Someone needs to see what a poor job we've done educating our citizens.

Schism In The Anglican Communion???

2007-06-14T17:44:00.000-05:00

According to this CNA article it will be happening sooner rather than later.

London, Jun 14, 2007 / 10:30 am (CNA).- A powerful coalition of conservative Anglican leaders is preparing to create a parallel church for conservatives in the United States, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph.

The parallel church would be in defiance of appeals made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, to his fellow primates to refrain from provocative actions. If this parallel Church is pursued, it would provoke the biggest schism in the history of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

According to sources obtained by The Daily Telegraph, at least six primates are planning the consecration of a prominent U.S. cleric as a bishop to minister to members of the Episcopalian Church, who have rejected their liberal bishops over the issue of homosexuality.

The Eucharistic Congress

2007-06-13T17:55:00.001-05:00

I have been avoiding this post. Not because I didn't want to write it, but because I have no clue how I will encapsulate the entire weekend into a few short words. You can't box God and his grace in and so I had to write this in my heart before I ever attempted to write it here. My poor words will do little to relate the grace and joy that accompanied this weekend but I pray that the Spirit can use them to reveal to you the love God poured out on all those present.

The Congress began on Friday at the Cathedral in Saginaw. I was not able to attend because I was ending my 8 day retreat. However, in reports from many sources one word continued to pop up: "prayerful." From all accounts the ordinations of Fr. Andy and Fr. Jose were extremely prayerful and joyful events for everyone who attended. I also heard how Archbishop Dolan's evening address brought the house down. He spoke about the different aspects of the Eucharist and I would comment more but seeing how I wasn't there to hear it, it would be unfair to the Archbishop to comment more.

Saturday began bright and beautiful. Over at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Midland, five men were ordained to the order of the deaconate. It was a moving ceremony as the fruits of Bishop Carlson's (oh yeah, and the Holy Spirit's) work to revive the vocations in Saginaw were ripening. One of the Deacons, Denis Heames, was blessed to have his father present who himself is a deacon. It was beautiful to see father and son, now both deacons, embrace during the kiss of peace. The five were filled with joy in their new identity as they literally floated from place to place all day. They were a witness to all who saw them about the joy of their vocation and an encouragement to those around them.

After the ordinations, on the other side of town at St. Brigid of Kildare, the day was just beginning. ABLAZE! 2007, fresh off a successful outing last year, inspired the youth of the diocese to come out in numbers reaching in the mid 300's. It was a day full of fun, worship of Christ in the Eucharist, various presentations on different aspects of the faith, and friendship with young people from all over the diocese.

Later in the afternoon we had the outdoor family mass and BBQ where almost 1500 people took part as families and others arrived joining the youth already present. Auxiliary Bishop Paprocki gave a great homily and sang contemporary songs the kids new from their radios to teach them about their relationship with Christ. In the evening Catholic singer Steve Angrisano gave a wonderful concert which was full of messages of love and encouragement for all those present. For more on the concert click here.

On Sunday the Congress moved to St. Stanislaus Parish in Bay City to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi. The highlight of the day, besides obviously the Mass itself, was the beautiful procession through the streets of Bay City as hundreds accompanied the Bishop and the five new deacons with the monstrance in their hands. At five different stops the Eucharist was sang to and adored in silence. Then the Bishop blessed all present with the Holy Body of our Lord. As the procession moved through the streets, bystanders peered around corners and out their front doors wondering what was going on.

The weekend did have some mishaps as the devil did all he could to prevent a prayerful spirit. Electronics were mysteriously breaking, like Bishop Carlson's mic literally blowing up just as he was pronouncing the words of consecration at the outdoor mass on Saturday and the censor breaking off it's chain as the Bishop was incensing the host during the stop at the second station during the procession on Sunday. However hard he tried though, God would not let him spoil the prayerful spirit that pervaded the whole atmosphere. So many people made comments to me that their faith was strengthened and their love of God deepened by the events of the weekend.

It will be three days that live on for decades to come, I'm sure, as we all move toward a deeper sense that God has us all in the palm of his hand and will bring his work to abundant fruit.

Whew! I Made 100% Catholic!

2007-06-13T15:05:00.001-05:00

You scored as Roman Catholic, You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.

Roman Catholic

100%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

96%

Neo orthodox

79%

Classical Liberal

57%

Emergent/Postmodern

46%

Fundamentalist

46%

Charismatic/Pentecostal

43%

Reformed Evangelical

29%

Modern Liberal

25%

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com

Time Is Running Out!

2007-06-13T14:50:00.000-05:00

Time is running out to vote for your favorite blogs! You can vote for more than one. Vote for Seminarians here!

Philadelphia Declares Itself A "Pro-Choice" City

2007-06-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

What does this even mean?

City of “Brotherly Love” Declared Officially "Pro-Choice” by City Council
By Elizabeth O’Brien
PHILADELPHIA, June 11, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A motion narrowly passed by Philadelphia’s City Council has given the city the new official title of “pro-choice”.
During and after the contentious vote, a storm of controversy raged in the council and divided city leaders about whether “pro-choice” is a name that truly represents the city. The Philadelphia Enquirer explains that the title supports, “women's reproductive rights and freedom” as well as “the right to choose a legal and safe abortion as a final but critical option for women.”
After much debate the resolution only squeezed by with a 9 to 8 majority.
Archbishop Justin Rigali, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, officially and indignantly rejected the title as being “inconsistent with reality”.
Rigali based his objections on both moral and logical grounds: “In a city where so many people vigorously defend life at every stage, proclaiming Philadelphia ‘pro-choice’ is inconsistent with reality. It unfairly saddles those who support life at all stages with this shameful label.”
He asked “people of good will” to join him in “rejecting the divisive and erroneous label that Philadelphia City Council has forced upon the citizens of Philadelphia today.” He continued, “I reject the resolution because so many heroic efforts are made continually to safeguard unborn children from the evil of abortion, to protect vulnerable children and families and to defend all women and men in crisis.”
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced the new resolution at the request of Planned Parenthood, which organization helped her draft the proposal.
“We wanted to make it clear this city cares about pro-choice,” said Brown. “They asked me to do it. I agreed with their views and I agreed to introduce the resolution. At the end of the day, we have to decide what we want the city to look like and be about.”
Councilman Brian J. O'Neill, on the other hand, rejected the resolution on the grounds of true democracy and justice. “There are people we represent on both sides of this issue. This is a pro-choice and a pro-life city,” said O’Neill, according to The Bulletin. “Both sides represent the entire city of Philadelphia, not just one side. This resolution is disrespectful to taxpayers who are pro-life.”
Earlier this year Archbishop Rigali, speaking to a congregation of approximately 10,000 who attended the Vigil Mass for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, pointed out that America is becoming increasingly pro-life. On the eve of Roe vs. Wade he stated, “More and more citizens are coming to question abortion and to recognize—as a starting point for deeper conversion—that there is something radically wrong with abortion and the support given it by our laws. There is a growing realization that human life and human dignity cannot be suppressed without immense damage to the entire fabric of our nation and numerous consequences.”

So, let me get this straight. Planned Parenthood walks in and says, "Hey, give this city the title: Pro-Choice" and so we say, "Oh, yes, thank you, what ever you say your Majesties!"

I mean, what kind of power do you have with politicians when any request is just simply granted without any regard for the thousands upon thousands who live in the city and find such a title repulsive and insulting?

And it isn't like this is based on some small political issue. It is no secret that the abortion debate has been getting more and more heated in these past years. It has become one of the most divisive political issues around. This move by the Philadelphia City Council is not only insulting to people defending life but it is just a stupid political move. Look at how close the vote was - 9-8. Do you think those 9 are going to get re-elected? Very few will, I'm sure.

This move both shocks and scares me. It shocks me because I'm sure Philadelphia has more important things to be talking about and why they would pull such an odd move, do they really want to divide this city more? It scares me because it almost seems as if Planned Parenthood wanted to flex their muscles to show how really powerful they are and guess what...they succeeded.

Guy tries to jump into the pope mobile -- June 6, 2007 --

2007-06-11T21:05:00.001-05:00

I'm sure most of you heard about this but it happened while I was on retreat. It's kinda scarry and funny at the same time...

Steve Angrisano Leaves ABLAZE! Participants "Blown Away"

2007-06-10T20:58:00.000-05:00

On Saturday evening the ABLAZE! youth and families, priests, religious, seminarians, and some newly ordained deacons, enjoyed the abundant talents of Mr. Steve Angrisano. Steve Angrisano is known world wide as a Catholic singer/songwriter, story teller, and evangelist. He has performed internationally at events such as World Youth Day. He has also performed at events such as the March for Life in Washington D.C. and the National Catholic Youth Conference. His musical styles range from calming ballads to rip-roaring dance songs all in praise and worship of his Lord. (His newest CD can be found here)

From the moment the concert began, which was enjoyed by folks all over the tri-cities courtesy of Ave Maria Radio: 1440 AM WMAX, people were captivated by this gifted performer. As he excited the young people with his many "crowd participation" songs, he also used the chance to encourage them to live their faith boldly in the face of a world which wants to ignore God and his free gift of love.

In one of these moments, Steve told the story of a girl he knew from the Columbine High School tragedy. When faced with a gun in her face and asked if she believed in God, this young woman boldly declared that she did. When the gunman asked her why she simply said that that was what her parents taught her to believe and that is what she has come to believe herself. (Later she thought that that was a bad answer but, as Steve explained, it was a perfect answer: faith was handed on to her from the Church and she had made it her own.) After giving this testimony of her real faith in God, the gunman threw back his head, laughed at her and then shot her 12 times; she miraculously lived to tell the tale. As the silent audience wiped away tears from their eyes, Steve exhorted them all to live a faith that real and that bold. It was a message few will forget very soon.

Later, after spending over an hour and a half in praise and worship of Jesus Christ, many of the young people and parents described their experience as simply being "blown away" and I am left simply to pray that God will bless the ministry of Steve Angrisano especially the priceless work he performed yesterday. I hope that you may someday have the opportunity to witness this true messenger of God.

Fainting Goats

2007-06-09T07:54:00.001-05:00

My friends over at www.georgemcflyslefthook.blogspot.com posted this video. Obviously I couldn't resist...

First Priestly Ordinations In Six Years

2007-06-09T07:33:00.000-05:00

From the Diocesan Website:

SAGINAW – Bishop Robert J. Carlson today ordained two men to the priesthood at St. Mary Cathedral, 615 Hoyt Ave. in Saginaw.
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw's new priests are:
Father Andrew Booms, 29, of Harbor Beach, studied theology at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He also earned a bachelor’s degree for psychology with a minor in philosophy from Saginaw Valley State University in 1999. He has been appointed to serve as associate pastor at St. James Parish in Bay City and as a religion teacher at All Saints Central High School in Bay City following his ordination.
Father José Maria Cabrera, 26, of Lampayeque, Peru, studied theology at the Mundelein Seminary in Mundelien, Ill., and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He also studied philosophy at John XXIII Theological Institute in Lima, Peru. Before coming to the Diocese of Saginaw, Cabrera served as a missionary in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. Cabrera has been appointed to serve as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Midland following his ordination.
"This is a time of great celebration for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw," said Carlson, the fifth Bishop of Saginaw. "Anytime you have priests being ordained, it's exciting because it"s a sign of a growing church.
"We also are excited about the ordination of five transitional deacons tomorrow– that means we will have five new priests within the next year, God-willing – and that we will have 20 men studying for the priesthood this fall. Add to that, all of our commissioned lay ministers, dedicated religious and deacons and it becomes clear that we have many wonderful disciples serving each parish across the diocese. This all is a sign that our local church is alive and growing with wonderful energy and vigor."
Fathers Booms and Cabrera are the first priests ordained by Bishop Carlson for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw since his appointment in February 2005.
Bishop Carlson also is set to ordain five transitional deacons at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, 3516 E. Monroe Rd. in Midland. Those who will become transitional deacons include:
Nicholas Coffaro, 26, of Garfield Heights, Ohio. He is enrolled at SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake.
Christopher Coman, 33, of Saginaw. He is enrolled at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.
Denis Heames, 34, of Chula Vista, Calif. He is enrolled at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.
Daniel Roa, 28, of Venezuela. He is enrolled at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelien, Ill.
William Spencer, 74, of Ann Arbor. He is enrolled at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.
Transitional deacons include those who are in their final stages of seminary formation who will most likely be ordained to the priesthood in the next year.
Since 2000, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has celebrated two priestly ordinations and a total of four priestly ordinations in the last decade, since 1997. The last time two priests were ordained here within the same year was 1995 and the last year more than two were ordained was 1982.
With Fathers Booms and Cabrera, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw currently has a total of 59 active priests serving within its 106 parishes. Many of the diocese’s 36 senior (retired) priests, 15 priests from other dioceses or religious orders, also serve to celebrate the sacraments for the people of the 11-county Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw was established in 1938 and includes an estimated 132,000 faithful living in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties.

I wasn't able to attend yesterday because I was in the midst of travel. I will however be attending the ordinations and the ABLAZE! youth rally today. Hope to see you there!

I'm Back...

2007-06-08T13:35:00.000-05:00

I'm Back! The retreat was amazing! Thanks so much for all your prayers, I really appreciate them! It looks like there has been a ton going on since last Friday. It feels like I've been gone 8 years rather than 8 days. I can't wait to blog about it all. Right now, though, I'm headed off to the Eucharistic Congress! Hope to see you there!!!

Going on Retreat...

2007-06-01T12:17:00.000-05:00

I start an eight day retreat today so there will be no posting on Seminarians for the next week. I'll be sure to report on the Eucharistic Congress and all the good things God will do next weekend. Please keep me in prayer during this time and I will ask God to bless all the readers of Saginaw Seminarians.

God bless and see you next week!

[photo credit]

There Is Global Warming, But Should We Mess With It?

2007-05-31T12:49:00.000-05:00

FoxNews is running a story about an interview the chief administrator of NASA had with NPR earlier in which he questions whether or not we should try messing with the atmosphere. Here is the content of that story with some of my comments below:

Hours before President Bush called on 15 nations Thursday to set greenhouse gas emission standards, the head of the U.S. space program went on national radio and questioned whether global warming really is a problem.
"I have no doubt that global — that a trend of global warming exists," NASA administrator Michael Griffin told National Public Radio's Morning Edition in an interview that aired early Thursday. "I am not sure that it is fair to say that it is a problem we must wrestle with."
Bush later called for a series of meetings in the fall to set a target goal for greenhouse emission standards. The president delivered his remarks to U.S. Global Leadership Campaign at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., ahead of his Group of Eight summit in Germany next week..
The United States has taken the lead and that’s the message I’m going to take to the G-8,” Bush said.
But Griffin, who heads an agency with a $16.5 billion budget, wondered whether global warming was an issue that needed to be grappled with at all.
"To assume that it is a problem is to assume that the state of Earth's climate today is the optimal climate, the best climate that we could have or ever have had and that we need to take steps to make sure that it doesn't change," Griffin said.
"First of all, I don't think it's within the power of human beings to assure that the climate does not change, as millions of years of history have shown," he continued. "And second of all, I guess I would ask which human beings — where and when — are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right here today, right now is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that's a rather arrogant position for people to take."
One of NASA's duties is charting global climate change.
"Nowhere in NASA's authorization, which of course governs what we do, is there anything at all telling us that we should take actions to affect climate change in either one way or another," he told NPR. "We study global climate change — that is in our authorization. We think we do it rather well. I'm proud of that, but NASA is not an agency chartered to, quote, battle climate change."
David Mould, NASA's chief spokesman, told the Houston Chronicle that the administrator was attempting to characterize the agency's role in assessing environmental issues.

I guess I kinda wonder what this guy's point is. I mean is he saying that we shouldn't mess with anything at all or is he saying that it isn't NASA's job. The spokesman seems to be pointing to the latter but at times it seems as if Griffin is saying that we shouldn't worry about it at all.

On some level I can agree with him but on another level I think I could disagree. If the earth's climate is gonna change, it's gonna change and there is probably little we could or should do about that. If, however, we can come up with engins that have less emmisions and do not spew toxins into nature and the atmosphere, heck, I'm all for that.

Global warming has got everyone's attention at this point. The Vatican recently addressed the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council’s Commission on Sustainable Development and stressed that "the scientific evidence for global warming and mankind’s role in the increase of greenhouse gasses “becomes ever more unimpeachable” and its effects already impacting the world community."

A Catholic Online article quoted him as stating:

“The consequences of climate change are being felt not only in the environment, but in the entire socio-economic system, Archbishop Migliore said, noting that “such activity has a profound relevance, not just for the environment, but in ethical, economic, social and political terms as well.”
Global warming, he said, “will impact first and foremost the poorest and weakest who, even if they are among the least responsible for global warming, are the most vulnerable because they have limited resources or live in areas at greater risk.”

The Nuncio, Archbishop Migliore, continued:

“We will have to change our present model from one of the heedless pursuit of economic growth in the name of development, towards a model which heeds the consequences of its actions and is more respectful towards the creation we hold in common, coupled with an integral human development for present and future generations,” he said.
“Experience shows that disregard for the environment harms human coexistence,” the archbishop said, adding that the international community must make the connection between making “peace with creation and peace among nations."

Of course, the Vatican's main concern is for the people living in poorer nations who are effected by the impact of a warming climate and sees their pursuit of justice intimately connected to the whole balance of the ecosystem. When it comes down to it, the Lord gave us this earth to keep and protect and nurture. If, for whatever reason, we have failed to do that, there will be natural consequences. If nature can be improved and built up and cleaned, then it is our job to do that.

If we can, we should. Period.

[photo credit]

Less Spam For Everyone!!

2007-05-31T12:32:00.000-05:00

According to Feds responsible for this case, everyone will see a reduction of that dreaded spam in their e-mail inbox. A 27 year old man described as "one of the world’s most prolific spammers" was arrested Wednesday sparking the comments from the afore mentioned government officials.

MSNBC reports:

Robert Alan Soloway is accused of using networks of compromised “zombie” computers to send out millions upon millions of spam e-mails.
“He’s one of the top 10 spammers in the world,” said Tim Cranton, a Microsoft Corp. lawyer who is senior director of the company’s Worldwide Internet Safety Programs. “He’s a huge problem for our customers. This is a very good day.”
A federal grand jury last week returned a 35-count indictment against Soloway charging him with mail fraud, wire fraud, e-mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
Soloway pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon to all charges after a judge determined that — even with four bank accounts seized by the government — he was sufficiently well off to pay for his own lawyer.
He has been living in a ritzy apartment and drives an expensive Mercedes convertible, said prosecutor Kathryn Warma. Prosecutors are seeking to have him forfeit $773,000 they say he made from his business, Newport Internet Marketing Corp.

The story continues by explaining what exactly Soloway was doing to send his spam e-mails:

Prosecutors say Soloway used computers infected with malicious code to send out millions of junk e-mails since 2003. The computers are called “zombies” because owners typically have no idea their machines have been infected.
The Santa Barbara County, Calif., Department of Social Services said it was spending $1,000 a week to fight the spam it was receiving, and other businesses and individuals complained of having their reputations damaged when it appeared spam was originating from their computers.
“This is not just a nuisance. This is way beyond a nuisance,” Warma said.
Soloway used the networks of compromised computers to send out unsolicited bulk e-mails urging people to use his Internet marketing company to advertise their products, authorities said.

So, I guess at the end of the day this will mean less spam for you and more jail time for this guy who made loads of cash ripping people off...

[Picture credit: MSNBC]

Dr. Death To Be Released On Parole

2007-05-29T17:46:00.000-05:00

Here in the lovely state of Michigan we claim to be the home of many things. We've got the car capital of the world, Motown, Kellogg's Cereal, 4 of the biggest lakes in the world, and, count em', not one, but two peninsulas. (I know, it's great...)

We are also home to some other things. Among them, Dr. Jack Kevorkian: Dr. Death himself. A man who has become, in the words of a CNA article, the icon of the culture of death. I bring this up because this coming Friday, Kevorkian will be released from prison after serving 8 of his 10-25 years.

Imprisoned in 1999 for killing a man on national television, the 79 year old Dr. (I'm not sure if I should even call him that) seems to know what he'll be doing on his early leave. He told WJBK TV in Michigan that he will not be assisting in suicides anymore but he plans to begin a speaking circuit to push for more states to follow the lead of Oregon and pass pro-death or "right to die" laws. These types of bills have been circulating through many of the states' legal processes in recent years. One FoxNews story stated:

Opponents defeated a measure in Vermont this year and are fighting similar efforts in California. Bills have failed in recent years in Hawaii, Wisconsin and Washington state, and ballot measures were defeated earlier by voters in Washington, California, Michigan and Maine.

Kevorkian hopes to change those trends: "It's got to be legalized," Kevorkian said in a phone interview from prison aired by a Detroit TV station on Monday. "I'll work to have it legalized. But I won't break any laws doing it."

Opponents of so-called "right-to-die" laws say that physicians shouldn't be looking to kill their patients but help them die with respect and dignity.

Opponents and supporters of physician-assisted death say more needs to be done to offer hospice care and pain treatment for those who are dying and suffering from debilitating pain.
"The solution here is not to kill people who are getting inadequate pain management, but to remove barriers to adequate pain management," said Burke Balch, director of the Powell Center for Medical Ethics at the National Right to Life Committee, which opposes assisted suicide.
"We need to come up with better solutions to human suffering and human need," Balch said.

For Dr. Death, those solutions are found in the prick of a needle or swallowing a little pill...

Time Is Running Out To Register For The Eucharistic Congress!!!

2007-05-29T14:09:00.000-05:00

Time is running out! Don't miss your chance to attend one of the biggest and most important events for the Diocese of Saginaw in recent memory!

The Eucharistic Congress is for every age group, every vocation and way of life, it is for those who are very active in their faith life and for those who would like to do something a little more in their faith. In a word, the Eucharistic Congress is for YOU! Don't miss out on the chance to worship Jesus in a new and wonderful way along with folks from all over the Diocese and the state of Michigan.

Registration forms can be found on-line here or you can get in touch with your local parish office.

Be There!!!

"This Kind Of Thing Doesn't Happen Every Day"

2007-05-28T23:40:00.000-05:00

Imagine waking up to this!

JERUSALEM — A man clad only in underwear and a T-shirt wrestled a wild leopard to the floor and pinned it for 20 minutes after the cat leapt through a window of his home and hopped into bed with his sleeping family.

"This kind of thing doesn't happen every day," said 49-year-old Arthur Du Mosch, a nature guide. "I don't know why I did it. I wasn't thinking, I just acted."

Raviv Shapira, who heads the southern district of the Israel Nature and Parks Protection Authority, said a half dozen leopards have been spotted recently near Du Mosch's small community of Kibbutz Sde Boker in the Negev desert in southern Israel, although they rarely threaten humans.

Shapira said it was probably food that lured the big cat. Leopards living near humans are usually too old to hunt in the wild and resort to chasing down domestic dogs and cats for food, he added.

Du Mosch's cat was in the bed with him at the time, along with his young daughter who had been frightened by a mosquito in her own room.

Shapira said the leopard was very weak when park rangers arrived at Du Mosch's home after the surprise late-night visit. He said nature officials would likely release it back into the wild.

Du Mosch said he probably would not have been able to control the big cat were it in better health. As a nature guide, he said, he was familiar with animals and did his best to hold down the leopard without harming it. He said he took it all in stride, "but the kids were excited."

A few funny things to note:

"A half dozen leopards have been spotted recently...they rarely threaten humans" I guess this one didn't care about the status quo
"It was probably food that lured the big cat" ...um, yeah...
His daughter was in bed with him because "she had been frightened by a mosquito in her own room." Do you think mosquitoes are going to bother that little girl anymore?

Is This Even Real???

2007-05-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Sorry I just couldn't leave this ABC News story unblogged...

An 11-year-old boy used a pistol to kill a wild hog his father says weighed a staggering 1,051 pounds and measured 9 feet 4, from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail. Think hams as big as car tires.

Jamison is reveling in the attention over his pig.

"It feels really good," Jamison said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It's a good accomplishment. I probably won't ever kill anything else that big."

Jamison, who killed his first deer at age 5, was hunting with father Mike Stone and two guides in east Alabama on May 3 when he bagged Monster Pig. He said he shot the huge animal eight times with a .50-caliber revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Through it all, there was the fear that the animal would turn and charge them, as wild boars have a reputation for doing.

"I was a little bit scared, a little bit excited," said Jamison, who lives in Pickensville on the Mississippi border. He just finished the sixth grade on the honor roll at Christian Heritage Academy, a small, private school.

His father said that, just to be extra safe, he and the guides had high-powered rifles aimed and ready to fire in case the beast, with 5-inch tusks, decided to charge.

With the animal finally dead in a creek bed on the 2,500-acre Lost Creek Plantation, a commercial hunting preserve in Delta, trees had to be cut down and a backhoe brought in to bring Jamison's prize out of the woods.

It was hauled on a truck to the Clay County Farmers Exchange in Lineville, where Jeff Kinder said they used his scale, recently calibrated, to weigh the hog.

Kinder's scale measures only to the nearest 10, but Mike Stone said it balanced one notch past the 1,050-pound mark.

"It probably weighed 1,060 pounds. We were just afraid to change it once the story was out," he said.

The hog's head is being mounted by Jerry Cunningham of Jerry's Taxidermy. Cunningham said the animal measured 54 inches around the head, 74 inches around the shoulders and 11 inches from the eyes to the end of its snout.

"It's huge," he said. "It's just the biggest thing I've ever seen."

Mike Stone is having sausage made from the rest of the animal. "We'll probably get 500 to 700 pounds," he said.

Declaration On The Limbo of Infants Published...

2007-05-28T22:53:00.000-05:00

The Vatican got this finally posted up on their website earlier...

THE HOPE OF SALVATION FOR INFANTS WHO DIE WITHOUT BEING BAPTISED

While I haven't had the chance to read it carefully, I did skim it and here is the section most of you will be interested in:

102. Within the hope that the Church bears for the whole of humanity and wants to proclaim afresh to the world of today, is there a hope for the salvation of infants who die without Baptism? We have carefully re-considered this complex question, with gratitude and respect for the responses that have been given through the history of the Church, but also with an awareness that it falls to us to give a coherent response for today. Reflecting within the one tradition of faith that unites the Church through the ages, and relying utterly on the guidance of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised would lead his followers “into all the truth” (Jn 16:13), we have sought to read the signs of the times and to interpret them in the light of the Gospel. Our conclusion is that the many factors that we have considered above give serious theological and liturgical grounds for hope that unbaptised infants who die will be saved and enjoy the Beatific Vision. We emphasise that these are reasons for prayerful hope, rather than grounds for sure knowledge. There is much that simply has not been revealed to us (cf. Jn 16:12). We live by faith and hope in the God of mercy and love who has been revealed to us in Christ, and the Spirit moves us to pray in constant thankfulness and joy (cf. 1 Thess 5:18).
103. What has been revealed to us is that the ordinary way of salvation is by the sacrament of Baptism. None of the above considerations should be taken as qualifying the necessity of Baptism or justifying delay in administering the sacrament.[135] Rather, as we want to reaffirm in conclusion, they provide strong grounds for hope that God will save infants when we have not been able to do for them what we would have wished to do, namely, to baptize them into the faith and life of the Church.

Notice that the document states that these are reasons for prayerful hope, rather than grounds for sure knowledge. Ultimately no one but God almighty knows what happens to these little ones. The commission is simply stating that it is reasonable to believe that god would provide a means of salvation.

Oklahoma Takes a Pro-Life Step

2007-05-28T22:47:00.001-05:00

Via CNA:

Oklahoma City, May 28, 2007 / 12:30 pm (CNA).- Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry did not veto a pro-life bill on Wednesday, making Oklahoma the only state this year to pass legislation that would prohibit certain abortions in state-funded medical facilities, reported CNHI News Service.

Senate Bill 139 prohibits abortions in state medical facilities or by state employees, unless the life of the mother is threatened, the pregnancy poses the risk of impairment to major bodily functions, or in the case of rape or incest.

Henry recently vetoed another bill, Senate Bill 714, which did not allow the provision on rape or incest. Democratic senators sustained the vote during two override attempts. Henry, a Democrat, may not have had the votes this time around to sustain his veto had he made that decision.

Henry said he would challenge proponents of the bill to work with the medical community and other interested parties to address the absence of a concession in the bill for lethal birth defects in the next legislative session.

Joseph Scheidler, national director for the Pro-life Action League, believes using the risk to the mother or the chance of these fatal anomalies as a reason to allow abortions is an emotional ploy.

“Abortion is not a life-saving surgery,” he said, adding that medicine is sophisticated enough now that very few women die because of a pregnancy.

American Idol Winner is Pro-Life

2007-05-28T22:31:00.000-05:00

This is the only way anything from American Idol ends up here...

Hollywood, CA (LifeNews.com) -- After coming under fire last month for an anti-povery campaign that funneled money to pro-abortion groups, the popular musical talent show American Idol has produced a new winner in Jordin Sparks who is a long-time pro-life advocate. Sparks has repeatedly participated in pro-life conferences as a volunteer and singer.

Sparks was the recent winner of the sixth season of American Idol but her fans and supporters may not know that she strongly opposes abortion.

Sparks, the daughter of Phillipi Sparks who played professional football for the New York Giants, sang at Arizona's Right to Life 2005 conference. The New York Giants were formerly owned by the late Wellington Mara who founded the pro-life group Life Athletes and was known for his strong pro-life beliefs.

She attended the conference with Dr. Alveda King, who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Sparks hasn't been shy about her pro-life beliefs either.

She appears on Fox & Friends this week with Brian Kilmeade who asked her questions based on emails from viewers. Sparks was asked about a ring she wears on her wedding ring finger even though she is 17 year-old and unmarried.

She said, without hesitation, that it was her Purity Ring, and that it says she waiting until she is married, and saving herself for true love.

Meanwhile, the Internet has been full of talk in recent days about a photo that appeared on Sparks' personal Myspace page with her holding a sign from National Right to Life saying Stop Abortion Now.

In fact, those gigs at pro-life rallies are credited with getting a buzz about her and catching the eye of well-known Christian singer Michael W. Smith, with whom she performed.

Her singing in contemporary Christian circles won her enough praise that she won the Gospel Music Association Spotlight Award in 2004.

Sorry For The Unscheduled Interruption...

2007-05-28T22:26:00.001-05:00

So, its been way too long since we've had a post...

My apologies...

Planned Parenthood About To Sue Girl Who Exposed Their Lies

2007-05-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

Planned Parenthood is in a tight place at the moment. They've been caught covering up statutory rape. Now, at the moment, if you did a google search on the topic you'd find that none, I mean none, of the major news media is covering this story. However, if they go through with this lawsuit it could catch fire.

So, what exactly happened here? An 18 year old investigative journalist named Lila Rose walked into a Planned Parenthood office in California posing as a 15 year old. She told the councilors there that she was pregnant by a 23 year old man and instead of contacting the proper authorities, they taught her how to cover up her age to make it look as if she were a year older and thus save her and her "boyfriend" from any criminal charges. Here is part of the transcript:

Planned Parenthood staff: “If you’re 15, we have to report it. If you’re not, if you’re older than that, then we don’t need to.”
15-year-old: “Okay, but if I just say I’m not 15, then it’s different? So I could just say…”
Planned Parenthood staff: “You could say 16.”
15 year old: “I could say 16.”
Planned Parenthood staff: “Yes.”
15 year old: “Okay, yeah. So I would just write 16?”
Planned Parenthood staff: “Well, just figure out a birth date that works. And I don’t know anything.”

The Abortionist is threatening a lawsuit (this just shows how sick and twisted they are) because Miss Rose did not "respect California laws" concerning undercover journalism. As Dom over at Bettnet said so well, "Pot, meet the kettle. It’s black." It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, in the meantime here is the youtube link to the actual video that was made. It is a very choppy and sometimes hard to understand but you'll get the point.

Also, here is a site that has been dedicated just to this topic and their attempts to expose Planned Parenthood and this is a youtube link to a video they made of phone conversations of Planned Parenthood councilors covering up statutory rape. This is sick stuff...

I've Got Mine!

2007-05-17T10:56:00.000-05:00

Hillary Uses Image of Blessed Mother Teresa In Campaign Video

2007-05-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this just make you want to scream out "sacrilege!"

Washington DC, May 16, 2007 / 10:55 am (CNA).- The national Catholic-based advocacy group Fidelis, is calling for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign to remove an image of Blessed Mother Teresa from their campaign video.
The video, which was released Monday, is narrated by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
“It is wholly inappropriate, disrespectful and disturbing that Hillary Clinton is using an image of Blessed Mother Teresa as a political tool, especially given their radically different views on abortion,” said Fidelis president Joseph Cella.
“Mother Teresa tirelessly fought to protect unborn children, while Hillary Clinton staunchly supports abortion on demand in all nine months of pregnancy, including partial birth abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion,” he said.
The video, which can be viewed on YouTube, contains an image of Hillary and Blessed Teresa at approximately 2:26 into the video. When the picture appears, the former president can be heard saying: “Hillary, in effect, was the face of America…in India”.
The video then goes to a clip of the former First Lady’s address at the 1995 Beijing Conference, where a push was made to declare abortion a fundamental “human right.”
Cella said he faxed a letter to Sister Nirmala, the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, and suggested that she look into this matter.

I wonder what Mother's reaction to this would be taking into consideration her strong stance on women and abortion as is witnessed in this clip from her address to the fourth UN women's conference:

That special power of loving that belongs to a woman is seen most clearly when she becomes a mother. Motherhood is the gift of God to women. How grateful we must be to God for this wonderful gift that brings such joy to the whole world, women and men alike! Yet we can destroy this gift of motherhood, especially by the evil of abortion, but also be thinking that other things like jobs or positions are more important than loving, than giving oneself to others. No job, no plans, no possessions, no idea of "freedom" can take the place of love. So anything that destroys God's gift of motherhood destroys His most precious gift to women-- the ability to love as a woman.

Lets pray that this ad is respectfully removed or edited so that Mother's image is no longer used to promote a campaign only promising more death to America's babies.

American College of Pediatricians Fights to Defend Children: At All Stages Of Life

2007-05-16T11:09:00.000-05:00

There is a growing organization of physicians out there which has decided to defend an all but abstract idea of family life.

The American College of Pediatricians, sporting the tag line: The Best For Children, defends such concepts as a married male-female unit as an environment most suited for proper development and the idea that children need protection from the time of their conception until their natural death.

From their website:

The Mission:

"The Mission of the American College of Pediatricians is to enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being. To this end, we recognize the basic father-mother family unit, within the context of marriage, to be the optimal setting for childhood development, but pledge our support to all children, regardless of their circumstances."

The Vision:

"The American College of Pediatricians promotes a society where all children, from the moment of their conception, are valued unselfishly. We encourage mothers, fathers and families to advance the needs of their children above their own. We expect societal forces to support the two-parent, father-mother family unit and provide for children role models of ethical character and responsible behavior."

Their Values:

"Children are the future of our nation and society. As such, they deserve to be reared in the best possible family environment and supported by physicians committed to ensuring their optimal health and well-being. The members of the American College of Pediatricians are those physicians."

The great thing about this group of professionals is that they are not shy about stating the need for good science within the context of true natural and ethical law. This attitude is shown in what they call their "core values": a list of eight points which guide their operation. Highlights of these Core Values include: my comments in red

Recognizes that there are absolutes and scientific truths that transcend relative social considerations of the day. (just when you thought the dictatorship of relativism had taken over...)
Recognizes that good medical science cannot exist in a moral vacuum and pledges to promote such science. (*gasp* Science with morals?)
Recognizes the fundamental mother-father family unit, within the context of marriage, to be the optimal setting for the development and nurturing of children and pledges to promote this unit. (no mom and mom families here!)
Recognizes the unique value of every human life from the time of conception to natural death and pledges to promote research and clinical practice that provides for the healthiest outcome of the child from conception to adulthood. (finally doctors who try to keep babies alive and aren't ashamed to say that's the way it should be)
Recognizes the physical and emotional benefits of sexual abstinence until marriage and pledges to promote this behavior as the ideal for adolescence. (did I hear that right?)

Some recent articles they've published are starting to get some attention such as the article about adoption and homosexual couples and their call to stop embryonic stem cell research in favor of adult stem cell research.

Stop by and check out their website and if you can, support them!

Hamas Television Show Back On The Air

2007-05-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

A reader tipped me off to this continuing story...

A Hamas-run television station defied Israel and the Palestinian government on Friday by continuing to air a controversial children's puppet show with a Mickey Mouse lookalike preaching resistance.

Israel and Jewish groups have slammed the Al-Aqsa programme over calls made by the copycat mouse named Farfur and by a little girl for resistance against Israel and the United States, and for its overtly Islamist message.

Complete with Islamic songs and calls for cities in Israel to return to Palestine, Friday's episode apparently sought to prepare children for their end-of-year examinations -- with Farfur being told that cheating is forbidden.

Asked why by an Al-Aqsa television reporter, he looked left and right to see what his friends were writing and answered: "Because the Jews destroyed my home and I left my books and notes under the rubble."

"I'm calling on all children to read more and more to prepare for exams because the Jews don't want us to learn," Farfur then said after being told he had failed the test.

On Thursday, the chairman of the board of Al-Aqsa television, Fathi Hamad, refused to bow to pressure to cull the "Tomorrow's Pioneers" programme or to doctor its content.

"This campaign of criticism is part of a plan orchestrated by the West and the occupying power to attack Islam on the one hand and the Palestinian cause on the other," he said.

Palestinian information minister Mustafa Barghuti had asked Al-Aqsa to withdraw the show, which he said adopted a "mistaken approach" to the Palestinian struggle, and said that it was wrong to politicise children's television programming.

Hamas is the senior partner in the Palestinian national unity government and is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation in the West.

I posted on this earlier with some footage from the actual show in question. It is disturbing to say the least...

[Thanks to Darin for the tip!]

Germans Encourage Women To Have Babies

2007-05-15T10:05:00.000-05:00

This actually old news but as far as I can tell, no one has covered the story.
It seems as if Germans are starting to feel the effects of contraception and they don't like it.

Faced with a population which has become more and more hostile to birth, the German government is realizing the only result can be the opposite: death. Death as a nation that is. Forget trying to have a growing population, they are simply trying to replace a population which requires each woman to have 2.2 children. Currently the actual birthrate is about 1.7.

In an article written almost two years ago, the blogsite "Chastity Revisited" cited this problem and pointed to some of its causes:

A study by Germany's federal institute for demographic research showed that 26 percent of men and 15 percent of women aged between 20 and 39 do not want to start a family, a sharp rise since 1992 when the figures were 12 percent of men and 10 percent of women."
There is an increasing belief that not having children is the ideal way of life," the authors of the study concluded.

So, "why," I guess is the question. Why don't people want to have children? Isn't it a natural desire? It seems the Germans are asking the same question as they try to get to the root of the problem. The story continues with quotes like these:

"Places in creches are hard to get, and expensive," said Andrea, 35, in the Brigitte chat room. "I just can't imagine myself having a child, staying at home and becoming financially dependent on my partner or the State."

and

"In Germany, having children isn't sexy," said Marie-Luise Lewicki, the editor of Eltern (Parents) magazine.
"We don't just need creches and day-long schooling, we need a change in society," she said.

And then the demographers have their say:

The federal institute for demographic research said the main reason cited for not having children was the lack of either a partner or a stable relationship, which accounted for 83 percent of respondents.
However, nearly 60 percent said concerns for the future of their potential children had dissuaded them.
In a different study, released by the Forsa polling institute in January, only 29 percent of women pointed to the financial burden of a child and only 39 percent named not wanting to give up their career as their reason for not having children.
Having a family "seems to have become an abstract idea", the federal institute concluded.

So, the problem seems to be a financial or social problem. What can the government do, you ask? Pay people to have babies.

That's right, the government of Germany is now offering incentives to people who have children.

The new "Elterngeld" _ or "parent money" _ program allows an adult who stops work after a child is born to continue to claim two-thirds of their net wage, up to a maximum $2,375 per month. Low earners can claim 100 percent compensation for lost wages.
One parent can claim for up to 12 months; if both parents take a turn, they can claim the benefit for a total of 14 months _ a tweak designed to encourage more fathers to help.
Germany previously paid a flat $400 a month in benefits to needy parents for up to two years. The change is expected to raise the annual outlay in direct payments for parents with infants by about $1.2 billion per year to $5 billion.

It seems as if Germany is not alone in these efforts to get people back to baby-making. There are efforts in other European countries to do the same:

France offers additional help to some families who need in-home care. The Swedes give either moms or dads 80 percent of their salary for a total of 480 days in a parental leave.
While the French had 12.7 new babies per 1,000 residents in 2004 and the Swedes 11.2, Germany recorded only 8.5 new births _ the lowest rate in Europe not counting Vatican City.
Britain introduced a so-called "baby bonds" scheme in 2004, giving a $490 voucher to every newborn to start a trust fund, while a new Russian law entitles families to a bonus of $9,600 following the birth of a second child and any subsequent children.

Wow, a crisis because people won't have children. Who would have ever thought that you would need to ask people to please have children and then offer them money to do it? Reading the quotes above and seeing things like, "I don't want to be dependant on my spouse" or "It's not sexy to have children" make me ask just how materialistic and selfish has contraception made us? Children used to be a blessing, something people prayed for, now its a disaster if you get pregnant.

Let the demographers and the social scientists continue to wrap their heads around this, but it seems that throwing money at problem never solved anything, it just helped us ignore it for a little while longer.

What really needs to happen is a re-awakening of the connection between love, sex, and babies.

Some related links:

Humanae Vitae
The Condom Debate over at American Papist
Debate between Dr. Janet Smith and Dr. Charles Curran on contraception
A collection of articles written by Dr. Janet Smith
The National Catholic Bioethics Center

12 "Catholic" Colleges Have Pro-Abortion Speakers for Commencement 2007

2007-05-14T11:32:00.000-05:00

Well, sorry to say, there are still Catholic Colleges out there who do not promote Catholic values and beliefs.

Lifesite News recently published a list of twelve Catholic Colleges and Universities which have invited pro-abortion advocates to speak at their commencements, and yes, Notre Dame, the school that identifies so closely with many American's idea of a Catholic University, is one of them.

For as bad as this problem continues to be, there is a silver lining to this storm cloud. The number is actually down from previous years.

Lifesite reports:

The number of scandalous commencement speakers and honorees on Catholic campuses this spring appears to have declined dramatically compared to previous years, the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) announced today.
For the past nine years CNS research has identified invited commencement speakers or honorees at Catholic colleges who have taken public positions contrary to Catholic values or teaching. In 2006, CNS research uncovered problems at 24 colleges with speakers or honorees who publicly advocated for abortion rights, embryonic stem-cell research, physician-assisted suicide, homosexual marriage, women's ordination or other issues contrary to Catholic values.
By contrast, this year CNS has so far only had to alert the presidents of 11 Catholic colleges to problems with 12 commencement speakers or honorees.

Even though it is disappointing to see the number so high, the fact that it has decreased bears witness to the work of many to bring about an awareness that Catholic schools cannot send mixed messages about what it means to be Catholic.

The text continued:

"This is a very hopeful sign that more Catholic college leaders are embracing Pope John Paul II's vision for faithful Catholic higher education," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society. "What a fitting legacy for this likely saint!"
The Cardinal Newman Society has been working for 14 years toward the renewal of Catholic colleges and universities according to Ex corde Ecclesiae, the 1990 Catholic higher education guidelines issued by the late Pope John Paul II.
In June 2004, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the statement "Catholics in Political Life," which mandated: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

The list reads like this:

College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio)
College of St. Mary (Nebraska)
Loyola University New Orleans (Louisiana)
Marian Court College (Massachusetts)
Marquette University (Wisconsin)
Ohio Dominican University (Ohio)
Regis College (Massachusetts)
Saint Michael's College (Vermont)
The Graduate School, University of Notre Dame (Indiana)
Villanova University (Pennsylvania)
Walsh University (Ohio)

The list also includes who the speaker in question is as well as a description of why they are considered an unsuitable candidate to speak at a Catholic institution.

The site also includes a list of fourteen Colleges and Universities which have invited solid Catholics to speak at their commencements.

[photo: University of Notre Dame: Official Athletic Site]

Brazilian's Seek Miracle "Drug"

2007-05-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

Now, I'm not talking about the popular U2 song, but a story that has gained attention since the Holy Father started planning his trip to Brazil and the canonization of St. Galvao.

These tiny pills are made out of rice paper and inscribed with the prayer: "After the birth, the Virgin remained intact; Mother of God, intercede on our behalf."

Brazilians swear by them and will wait hours in line at the monestary that makes them. CNS provides some stories of people claiming to have been healed by the intercession of St. Galvao through the pills:

"The first time I swallowed the pills I was 8 years old," said Marta Monteiro, who this time brought her husband and teenage son. "I was sick and some aunts came to the monastery to get the pills for me."
Monteiro said that when she was pregnant with her son she also came to receive the pills, which are said to help women in labor. Now, she said, she occasionally will stop by the monastery to obtain the pills.
Katia Cristina de Souza, 35, said she came to the monastery because she was unable to wait the long hours to see the pope and witness the canonization. De Souza was diagnosed with breast cancer in February; in March, when she started chemotherapy, she also started to come on a weekly basis to receive Frei Galvao's pills.
De Souza, wearing a green bandanna to hide her loss of hair from the treatment, said she has begun to feel better, and that this improvement comes from the blessing granted to her by St. Galvao.

The pills got started when a woman who was experiencing a difficult pregnancy came to the Friar asking for prayers. St. Galvao gave her a rolled up piece of rice paper with the prayer on it and told her to consume it. She did and experienced a miraculous healing. After that expectant mothers went to the Friar asking for the miracle pills and the tradition has grown to anyone who is sick and seeking healing. What is interesting is that both the miracles needed for his canonization included the consumption of these pills.

Now, I can see someone raising the red flag about superstitions and their may be some cases of superstition floating around down there. I think what is important is not the consumption of a rolled up piece of rice paper but rather the faith of the people and the prayer for Our Lady's intercession. Which, after all, is one of the things the Pope praised St. Galvao for in his canonization Mass.

Thomas has a very good post on this topic...

[photo credit: AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano via Thomas]

Pope Canonizes First Native-Born Brazilian

2007-05-13T22:46:00.000-05:00

Sao Paulo, May 13, 2007 / 02:33 pm (CNA).- The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, presided over Mass today before canonizing Br. Antonio de Sant'Ana Galvao, the first native-born Brazilian saint. During the Mass, he addressed the faithful with a brief homily.

Benedict began his homily by inviting all present to "rejoice in the Lord . . . Let all of us praise him, peoples of Brazil and America." The Pope momentarily turned his attention to those who were following his journey on television, saying, "Be sure of this: the Pope loves you, and he loves you because Jesus Christ loves you."

Turning his attention to Br. Galvao, the Holy Father asked all present to "give thanks to God for the lasting benefits obtained through the powerful evangelizing influence that the Holy Spirit impressed upon so many souls through Br. Galvao." Benedict said that Br. Galvao is an excellent of example of how people should behave before the Eucharist: they should be, like Br. Galvao, "in a constant attitude of adoration." This is because God "reveals Himself through His word, in the sacraments and especially in the Eucharist." The Eucharist "contains all the spiritual wealth of the Church . . . it is the source of Life for mankind."

Br. Galvao is also an example to all because of "his willingness to be of service to the people whenever he was asked." Because he truly loved those who came to him, "the conversion of sinners was therefore the great passion of our saint." By being united to our neighbor and our God, "we will thus become bearers of that peace which the world cannot give."

"Mary, Mother of God and our Mother," Benedict continued, "stands particularly close to us at this moment." Br. Galvao "prophetically affirmed the truth of the Immaculate Conception." Mary is the "definitive seal of our encounter with God our Savior."

Benedict then drew attention to a sentence found in Br. Galvao's consecration, "Take away my life before I offend your blessed Son, my Lord!" These words are "the words of an impassioned soul, words that should be part of the normal life of every Christian." In fact, "the world needs transparent lives, clear souls, pure minds that refuse to be perceived as mere objects of pleasure." Such clarity is "necessary to oppose those elements of the media that ridicule the sanctity of marriage and virginity before marriage."

According to the Holy Father, "Our Lady has been given to us as the best defense against the evils that afflict modern life." Moreover, "Marian devotion is the sure guarantee of her maternal protection and safeguard in the hour of temptation."

In closing, the Pope recalled his words from World Youth Day 2005, "Only from the saints, only from God does true revolution come, the definitive way to change the world!" He finished his homily by asking the faithful to "give thanks to God the Father, to God the Son, to God the Holy Spirit from Whom, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we receive all the blessings of heaven."

Drug Dealers Will Face God's Judgement

2007-05-13T22:32:00.000-05:00

I thought this was an interesting story from the Pope's trip to Brazil:

GUARATINGUETA, Brazil (CNS) – In a meeting with recovering Brazilian drug addicts, Pope Benedict XVI said drug dealers will face God's judgment for the damage they have inflicted on individuals and society.

The pope made the remarks during a visit May 12 to Fazenda da Esperanca, or Farm of Hope, a church-run drug rehabilitation center in rural Brazil.

After listening to emotional testimonials from young men and women who have struggled to break free of drug and alcohol dependency, the pope urged those helped by the center to become "ambassadors of hope" to other addicts.
The pope said the statistics on drug abuse in Brazil were alarming and that the rest of Latin America is not far behind.

"I therefore urge the drug dealers to reflect on the grave harm they are inflicting on countless young people and on adults from every level of society," he said.

"God will call you to account for your deeds. Human dignity cannot be trampled upon in this way," he said.

The pope spoke from a thatch-roofed platform to about 3,000 people who gathered on the grounds of the 40-acre farm, where residents grow vegetables and raise livestock.

The rest of the story

Deacon Payne - Seminary Formationator

2007-05-10T21:38:00.001-05:00

Here is a little video that shows the common formation practices at most seminaries. It was put together by the seminarians of Mundelein. Deacon Andy and Deacon Jose both give stellar performances.

Bishop's Charity Ball Gains More Than 700K For Catholic Schools

2007-05-10T12:14:00.000-05:00

SAGINAW – The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw’s first Bishop's Charity Ball was a giant success Friday evening, collecting more than $700,000 for Catholic education.

"The response to this effort was wonderfully generous," said the Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, Bishop of Saginaw. "Our Catholic schools are a valuable asset in our faith tradition.

"I am thankful that so many members of our diocese understand the need for strong Catholic schools and are willing to support this important investment in our children's education and our future. This event helps a great deal in our continued effort to make sure that a quality Catholic education is available for parent’s who want a Catholic school education for their child."

Nearly 800 people were in attendance for the diocese’s first Bishop’s Charity Ball held on Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State St. in Saginaw Township, to celebrate Catholic education and raise money to benefit Catholic schools.

Funds were raised through raffle tickets sold through the diocese’s participating parishes and schools, silent auction items provided by schools, dinner-dance tickets to the ball and other kind donations.

"We had an overwhelmingly positive response to this first major fund raising event for our Catholic schools," said Annette O’Brien, the diocese’s development director.

"I am amazed by the great generosity of people for this worthy cause of passing on our faith through the proud tradition of our Catholic schools. The legacy of our faith as is it taught in our Catholic schools really is priceless."

The 11-county Catholic Diocese of Saginaw consists of 106 parishes and 26 schools, including three high schools.

Jesus Jive

2007-05-10T11:48:00.001-05:00

The rage is sweeping the nation!

Liberation Theology Has No Justification Today

2007-05-10T11:23:00.000-05:00

Sao Paulo, May 9, 2007 / 01:15 pm (CNA).- In his talk with journalist aboard the plane taking him to Brazil, Pope Benedict told the reporters that “ the Liberation Theology was a sort of “Millenarism” that would find no justification in todays Latin America, especially before the great social concern the Church manifests today.

He further explained that “ the mission of the Church is a religious one, However It is open to solutions to the great social problems,” he added.

“There is always space for a legitimate debate on how to create the conditions for Man's liberation and how to make effective the doctrine of the Church on giving Man the human and social conditions, through which values can grow.”

Nevertheless, the Pope made clear that today, “ the situation has greatly changed from when the Liberation Theology started.” “It's obvious that the light promises that made believe that through revolution, the conditions for a fulfilled life could be reached, were false. Everybody is aware of that now, and the question now is how does the Church can still be present in the struggle for justice. On this point, theologians and sociologists diverge,” he added.

The Holy Father explained that before being Pope, as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, “we tried to free ourselves from false millenarism and politization. Millenarism is a heresy that believes in the imminence of the end of the World and the coming of a reign of peace and justice.”

During his May 9 flight to Brazil the Pope also spoke about Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was an outspoken voice for social change before he was gunned down by a right-wing "death squad" during a Mass at his cathedral in San Salvador. Commenting on a new book about the slain archbishop, the Pope said that the death of Archbishop Romero should not be seen simply as a political figure.

"He was killed during the consecration of the Eucharist," the Pope observed. "Therefore, his death is testimony of the faith.”

Recap: Day One

2007-05-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

Pope Benedict arrived in Brazil yesterday and already he is making headlines.

He started off with a press conference which took place on the "Shepherd One" which covered topics ranging from liberation theology, the abortion situation in Mexico, and the beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Here are his opening remarks to the press with a link to the whole transcript:

Good morning aboard this plane! We’re now above the Sahara, on our way to the Continent of Hope. I’m going with great joy, with great hope, to this meeting with Latin America.
We have various important moments, first in Sao Paulo, the meeting with the youth, and then this canonization in Sao Paulo. It’s the first saint born in Brazil, and it seems to me also an important expression of the content of this trip. It’s a Franciscan saint who made real in Brazil the Franciscan charism. He is known as a saint of reconciliation and of peace. This too seems to me an important sign, a personality who knew how to create peace, and therefore also human social coherence.
Then, the visit to the Farm of Hope is also important, a place where the forces of healing which are contained in the faith become clear, to open the horizons of life. All these problems of drugs and so on are born with an absence of hope in the future. A faith which opens to the future also knows how to heal, and this force seems to me important – the force to heal, to give hope, to provide a horizon of the future, is very important.
Finally, the primary aim of this trip is the meeting with the bishops of CELAM, which is the fifth continental conference of the bishops of Latin America, which in and of itself has a content that is predominantly religious – to give life in Christ, and to make ourselves disciples of Christ.
We know that everyone wants to have life, but life is not complete if it does not have content, if it lacks a sense or an orientation about where to go. In this sense, even if the meeting in the first place responds to the religious mission of the church, it also creates the conditions for necessary solutions to the great social and political problems of Latin America. As such, the church does not practice politics, we respect the secular nature of the state. But we offer conditions in which a healthy politics, and solutions to social problems, can mature.
Thus, we want to promote Christians who are conscious of the gift of the faith, the joy of the faith, who know God and who therefore also know the ‘why’ of our life. In this way, they’ll be capable of being witnesses of Christ, and they’ll learn both the necessary personal virtues as well as social virtues, the sense of legality that is essential for the formation of society. We know the problems of Latin America, and we want to mobilize the capacity of the church, its moral strength and its religious resources, to respond to the specific mission of the church and to our universal responsibility to the human person as such, and to society as such.

This press conference, because of some misunderstanding, has caused a stir over the issue of Abortion and Excommunication. When asked:

"Do you agree with the excommunications given to legislators in Mexico City on the question?"

the Holy Father responded: "Yes. The excommunication was not something arbitrary. It is part of the (canon law) code. It is based simply on the principle that the killing of an innocent human child is incompatible with going in Communion with the body of Christ. Thus, they (the bishops) didn't do anything new or anything surprising. Or arbitrary."

This caused quite a stir and prompted a response from the Holy Father later on.

Benedict's spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the pope was not setting a new policy, and did not intend to formally excommunicate anyone — a rare process under church law that is separate from the doctrine of self-excommunication.
"Since excommunication hasn't been declared by the Mexican bishops, the pope has no intention himself of declaring it," Lombardi said in a statement approved by the pope.
But Lombardi added that politicians who vote in favor of abortion should not receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. "Legislative action in favor of abortion is incompatible with participation in the Eucharist. ... Politicians exclude themselves from Communion."
Pressed again to say whether the lawmakers were excommunicated, Lombardi reiterated: "No, they exclude themselves from Communion."

Dr. Ed Peters puts this all in the context of canon law...

What if Mickey Mouse were Muslim?

2007-05-10T10:04:00.001-05:00

Here is the video I posted about yesterday. Remember, this is a real television show, not a fake.

Mickey Mouse Teaches Muslim Children Violence

2007-05-09T12:37:00.000-05:00

This is just scarry.

Here's the link I'll post the video when I get the bugs worked out. This is not a parody. This is a real children's TV show in Palestine. It has been pulled off the air tempoarily for "review". The problem runs so deep...